Discussion on the Difference between Mathematical Economic Models and Econometric Models: from a Controversy about the Cobb-Douglas Production Function

Some researchers treat mathematical models of mathematical economics as econometric models,and use them directly,take all kinds of assumes in such mathematical model as econometric analysis premises for granted when they conduct an econometric analysis.This article points out that mathematical economic models and econometric models belong to two different disciplines,responsible for different tasks.So,they cannot be mixed up.This paper studies two different tasks in an econometric analysis,that is an estimated causal effect and prediction as well as different requirements in two different tasks on an econometric model.This article emphasizes that whether an estimated causal effect estimates or prediction,directly simply treats a mathematical economic model as the use of econometric models is not appropriate.