The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Enjoyable Econometrics” from Erasmus School of Economics has reached a remarkable milestone, with over 30,000 enrolled learners. The course was created by Professor Philip Hans Franses, an applied econometrician who launched the MOOC six years ago following the success of his book Enjoyable Econometrics, published by Cambridge University Press.
Professor Franses designed the MOOC to show that econometric models and methods can be applied far beyond traditional academic settings. ‘In many cases, practitioners must collect their own data first,’ explains Franses. ‘This might involve combining existing databases, conducting surveys, or running experiments. The process of gathering data helps determine which econometric methods and techniques are most appropriate.’
A question-driven approach
The MOOC emphasises that econometrics begins with questions, not models. First comes the research question, then the data collection, and only afterward the choice of model or method. ‘Depending on the data,’ says Franses, ‘we might need to adjust our approach. For instance, we may start by looking at two variables, but later include more. If data are missing, we must decide how to handle that. And when working with count data, like the number of newspaper articles mentioning someone, our methods may need to change as well. These adjustments always come at the end and only when relevant.’
Legacy of accessible econometrics
Another highly popular econometrics course from Erasmus School of Economics is the Coursera MOOC “Econometrics: Methods and Applications”. Developed by the school’s Econometric Institute, this course has attracted nearly 200,000 learners over the past ten years. Praised for its clarity, practicality, and engaging style, the course covers essential topics such as regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and model diagnostics, always with a focus on real-world applications.
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For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, +31 653 641 846.
