This book introduces econometric methods related to the use of individual data - both cross-section and panel data. The emphasis is on qualitative variables, sampling problems and specification issues and how these factors affect standard econometric models and techniques.

The book is not overly theoretical, but should prove to be invaluable for all those wanting to conduct empirical analysis using microeconometric techniques - more and more important since the use of individual data has become more and more the norm in empirical research in economics. The focus will be both on specification issues and on the interpretation and exploitation of the results, although the book does contain formal presentation of topics where necessary.

The defining characteristics of the book is its practical orientation, not only in terms of how to use an econometric package, but in terms of interpreting adequately the results one obtains when estimating such models.