Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion Joshua D. Angrist and Joern-Steffen Pischke is an English-language textbook on applied econometrics, aimed at professionals in the social sciences and economics. The book covers core methods such as linear regression, instrumental variables, and difference-in-differences to analyze causal questions.
This reference work explains the practical applications of econometrics and gives special attention to modern techniques, such as regression-discontinuity designs, quantile regression, and correctly handling standard errors. In doing so, it offers clear, insightful guidance for empirical research.
The authors emphasize that more complex statistical techniques are often unnecessary and can even entail risks. The book is relevant for research across multiple social science disciplines, including economics, political science, sociology, and history.
Key points:
- Focus on methods that are most commonly used in practice
- Practical examples and applications
- Comprehensive treatment of standard errors
- Accessible and concise
Suitable for professionals and researchers who want to strengthen their econometric analyses with proven and accessible tools.