Hi all,

I’m a first year PhD student in economics, and I’ve come to realize that I need to revisit my understanding of probability distributions. In many econ problems—especially in micro and game theory—we frequently use distributions like the normal, Poisson, exponential, etc. But whenever I encounter a problem involving a distribution, I tend to get lost.

I used to think I had a solid grasp of these, but clearly not enough to apply them confidently in economic contexts. So I’m looking for resources that explain distributions in an applied way, ideally with concrete examples (econ-related would be great, but not strictly necessary).

If you know of any books, lecture notes, videos, or even blog posts or threads that helped you really get how distributions work and how to use them in practice, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

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Hi everyone, I'm looking for databases or official websites where I can access information on DNA testing in the U.S., ideally broken down by county or Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This could include: • Public databases • Official surveys • APls available for research • Any other useful resources I'm not sure what's out there, but if anyone has suggestions, l'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your help and ideas.

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Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on a project under the guidance of my advisor, who has recently published an article on a specific topic in economics using publicly available data from a certain country. He has asked me to go to the library and search for historical data at the city level on the same topic, specifically from earlier periods that have not yet been digitized, so he can analyze them further.

The problem is, I’ve never done this kind of task before, and I’m struggling to find anything. I’m starting to doubt whether such non-digitized statistical data even exists in hard copy in libraries.

Does anyone have experience with finding non-digitized historical data?

Any tips, advice, or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

I’m currently navigating the world of academic research in Economics, and I’ve noticed that there’s often a strong emphasis on combining theoretical models with empirical evidence. I’m wondering if pursuing 100% applied research is generally considered less rigorous or valuable compared to research that integrates both theory and application. How do others in the field view this? Are there any pros and cons I should consider when deciding on the direction of my research? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Thanks!

Hi everyone. I have a couple of questions.

1. I would like to know why and how real analysis is important for succeeding in Economics PhD coursework.

2. Could an introduction to proofs course be sufficient or act as a substitute for real analysis in succeeding in first-year Economics PhD coursework?

3. In the past, I have always had issues answering exam questions in the form of “show that …” or “prove that …”. Do you think it means I lack knowledge about the methods of proof or real analysis? To be honest, I don’t even know where to start when these questions are asked on micro or macro tests.

Your insights will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Hey guys. Could anyone help me find a shortcut to answer this question. The answer is C, but it took me time to get it. Thank you.