Replication in Economics: A Practical Guide

Author
Affiliation

Èric Roca Fernández

CERDI-UCA

Published

September 8, 2025

1 Syllabus

This course provides a practical introduction to the essential elements of research replication in economics. It covers project organization, data management, coding practices in Stata and Python, and collaborative version control using Git. The primary goal is to equip students with the skills to conduct replicable research and to navigate the replication process effectively.

1.1 Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Organize research projects in a structured and reproducible manner.
  • Manage and document data effectively.
  • Write clear, well-documented code in both Stata and Python.
  • Utilize Git for version control and collaboration.
  • Understand the importance of replication in economics and the standards expected by journals.

1.2 Course Content

  1. Project Organization:
    • Setting up project folders and directory structures.
    • Creating and maintaining a comprehensive README file.
  2. Data Management:
    • Best practices for handling and documenting data.
    • Ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
  3. Replication with Stata:
    • Coding standards and practices for replicable Stata code.
    • Common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
  4. Replication with Python and Quarto:
    • Leveraging Python and Quarto for reproducible research workflows.
    • Integrating code, data, and documentation.
  5. Version Control with Git:
    • Using Git for tracking changes and collaborating with others.
    • Managing branches, merging, and resolving conflicts.