NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 高等研究方法(8056)
	(Eng.) Advanced Research Methods
Offering Dept	Department of Finance
Course Type	Required			Credits	3	Teacher	Tsung-Chih Lai
Department	Department of Finance / Ph.D			Language	Chinese	Semester	2026-SPRING
Course Description	This course is designed for PhD students in finance to develop an advanced understanding of quantitative research methodologies with a strong emphasis on research design and causal inference. The primary goal is to bridge the gap between theoretical econometric concepts and empirical practice, focusing on identification strategies commonly used in contemporary finance research. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of empirical designs over mechanical estimation techniques, and is not intended to be a traditional time-series or asset pricing econometrics course.
Prerequisites

Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%)			Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives	Competency Indicators	Ratio(%)	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1. Critically evaluate empirical research designs in top-tier finance journals 2. Identify and address endogeneity using modern econometric methods 3. Execute advanced empirical analysis using statistical software	2.Define the problem 3.Developing Hypothesis & Analysis 4.Exploring Theories	20 30 50	Exercises Discussion Lecturing	Attendance Oral Presentation Quiz
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content Week 1 Introduction [TE] Ch 1-4; [CI] Ch 1 Week 2 Review of Basic Concepts [E] Ch 2 Week 3 Least Squares Estimation [E] Ch 3 Week 4 Finite Sample Properties [E] Ch 4 Week 5 Large Sample Asymptotics [E] Ch 7 Week 6 Hypothesis Testing [E] Ch 9 Week 7 Spring Break Week 8 Midterm Exam Week 9 Matching Methods [MHE] Ch 3; [CI] Ch 5; [TE] Ch 14 Week 10 Instrumental Variables [MHE] Ch 4; [CI] Ch 7; [TE] Ch 19 Week 11 Regression Discontinuity Designs [MHE] Ch 6; [CI] Ch 6; [TE] Ch 20 Week 12 Panel Data Models [MHE] Ch 5; [CI] Ch 8; [TE] Ch 16 Week 13 Difference-in-Differences [MHE] Ch 5; [CI] Ch 9; [TE] Ch 18 Week 14 Staggered Adoption Designs [CI] Ch 9; [TE] Ch 18 Week 15 Synthetic Control Methods [CI] Ch 10; [TE] Ch 22 Week 16 Final Presentation self-directed learning    02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
Evaluation
1. Discussion, participation, and attendance: 40% 2. Midterm exam: 30% 3. Paper presentation: 30%
Textbook & other References
Hansen, B. E. (2022). Econometrics. Princeton University Press. [E] Angrist, J. D. and Pischke, J-S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist’s Companion. Princeton University Press. [MHE] https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/webcasts/2020/cont-ed Cunningham, S. (2021). Causal Inference: The Mixtape. Yale University Press. [CI] https://mixtape.scunning.com/ Huntington-Klein, N. (2026). The Effect: An Introduction to Research Design and Causality. CRC Press. [TE] https://theeffectbook.net/index.html
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
iLearning https://lms2020.nchu.edu.tw/
Office Hours
Wed. 13:10-14:00
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
04.Quality Education   08.Decent Work and Economic Growth   09.Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure include experience courses：N

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Update Date, year/month/day：2026/02/05 11:26:11	Printed Date, year/month/day：2026 / 5 / 31
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