Shiny and Econometrics

Using Shiny to Engage with Econometric Models, 2021, Cambridge Elements: Quantitative and Computational Methods for Social Science, Cambridge University Press. {monograph abstract}

My Cambridge Element stems from my pedagogical work while I was in USP, regarding ways to teach quantitative methods to multidisciplinary audiences. shiny is an R package that provides functionality for interactive web apps, written in the R language. The Element discusses how Shiny can help instructors teach quantitative methods more effectively by way of interactive web apps. The interactivity increases instructors’ effectiveness by making students more active participants in the learning process, allowing them to engage with otherwise complex material in an accessible, dynamic way.

The Element offers:

• Four detailed apps that cover two fundamental linear regression topics: estimation methods (least squares, maximum likelihood) and the classic linear regression assumptions
• A summary of what the apps can be used to demonstrate, detailed descriptions of the apps’ full capabilities, vignettes from actual class use, and example activities
• Two additional apps about a more advanced topic (LASSO), with similar supporting material
• Documents the main apps’ general code structure, highlights some of the more likely modifications, and goes through what functions need to be amended, for instructors interested in modifying the apps