2.  An economist collects, scours, and analyzes
datasets in order to explain past and
current trends and extrapolate future ones.
The process of applying math and statistical
modalities to these datasets to extract
conclusions regarding economic
relationships is called econometrics. The
sub-discipline continues to evolve and is
therefore founded on the understanding
that the theory and observation driving
econometric research are themselves in a
developmental state.

3.  Though the economic relationships quantified
by the study of econometrics may themselves
be simple, they are culled from large quantities
of data that could prove impossible to interpret
without the supportive formulas and theories.
Econometrics marries economic theory with
mathematics and statistics to allow economists
to give empirical content to theories and turn
those theories into practical tools for
developing policies and making forecasts.

4.  Development economist Philip H. Brown
has taught courses and published many
book chapters and peer-reviewed
papers on econometrics, development,
and the Chinese economy. His work has
appeared in publications such as the
Journal of Development Economics,
China Economic Review, and the Latin
American Journal of Economics, among
many others.