TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Goel, Deepti
        TI  - Estimator of What? A Note on Teaching Regressions in Introductory Econometrics
        PY  - 2025/Jul/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18007
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp18007
        AB  - The most widely used textbooks today conflate three distinct population parameters: the population regression function (PRF), the conditional expectation function (CEF), and the causal effect. They also incorrectly suggest, and sometimes state, that the Conditional Mean Zero assumption implies causal interpretation of regression coefficients. I highlight these issues and show that by incorporating new notation these limitations can easily be overcome.
        KW  - conditional mean zero
KW  - unbiased estimator
KW  - causal effects
        ER  -