This paper discusses the problems that are encountered when dynamic, discrete choice models are specified with continuous, serially correlated state variables. A variety of approximation methods that can deal with these problems is examined, and an empirical example that allows continuous...

The term structure of interest rates is often modelled as a cointegrated system with the yield spreads forming the cointegrating vectors. Testing whether the yield spreads span the cointegration space is problematic because conventional tests on the cointegration vectors tend to overreject when...

We analyse job grading within the UK National Health Service nursing profession, using 1994 survey data. We start from the ordered probit model, for which we develop and apply appropriate specification tests. Threshold constancy and covariate exogeneity are rejected, with important consequences...

A recent software review in this journal (McCullough, 1999) raises serious questions about EViews' performance on nonlinear least squares problems. We demonstrate that after correcting errors in the paper and adjusting convergence tolerances, EViews performance was comparable with the other...

GNU Octave is an open-source implementation of a (mostly Matlab compatible) high-level language for numerical computations. This review briefly introduces Octave, discusses applications of Octave in an econometric context, and illustrates how to extend Octave with user-supplied C++ code. Several...

In this paper we discuss a statistical method called multiple comparisons with the best, or MCB. This paper is meant to introduce MCB to economists. We discuss possible uses of MCB in economics. The application that we treat in most detail is the construction of confidence intervals for...

This paper discusses, estimates and formally compares the best known procedures for incorporating demographic variables into complete demand systems. In particular, a class of general procedures belonging to Gorman's family of 'general linear household technologies' is introduced. Estimation and...

In this paper we examine the extent to which countries are converging in per capita productivity levels. We propose to use cluster analysis in order to allow for the endogenous selection of converging countries. We formally define convergence in a time series analytical context, derive the...

Recent empirical work has questioned the consistency of US fiscal policy with an intertemporal budget constraint. Empirical results have tended to indicate that the deficit process has undergone at least one structural shift during recent decades, with the deficit becoming either unsustainable...