Guidelines. You are to download and analyse the following dataset: OECD_Stat_Ireland.xls. This is a statistical picture of Ireland from 1969 to 2010. In four pages or less, using a maximum of 1 table and no more than 3 charts, explain what you think you see in the data. The objective of this project is to give you the ability to communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral formats using a quantitative approach. This data set is very large, so you will have to be selective in your choices of what pieces of the data to describe, and how.

To get a good grade, you’ll need to demonstrate a basic competency in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of economic data. Submit your project in Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing, 1 inch margins, with a title, your name, and your student number on a cover page. You don’t need references for this work, because I expect everything to come from your own work with the data.

To get started, look at the data carefully.

1. What are the range and domain of the data? What is this data about? Click on the definitions of terms if you don’t understand something.
2. Compute line charts of economic variables (or growth rates) over time . Visualize the data. Try to understand the relationship between the data series you’re looking at. Compute descriptive statistics. Are the data positively related? Negatively? What does that suggest to you? Does any of what you’re seeing make sense to you? If not, why not?
3. Ask what lessons you’ve learned from trying to understand this data. Do your findings match the theory you’ve been learning in EC4027? Do your findings contradict them? Explain why, in either case.