This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Valentino Larcinese
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and History, BSc in Politics and International Relations and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
This course will be freely available to students with the required background
Pre-requisites
Students must have completed Quantitative Methods (Mathematics) (MA107) and Quantitative Methods (Statistics) (ST107).
Course content
This course provides an introduction to the most commonly used methods for causal inference in the social sciences using observational data. It covers simple and multiple regression (particularly focussing on the conditions for a causal interpretation of the coefficients), matching, panel data, diff-in-diff, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity. The course will prioritize the practical understanding and application of the methods rather than their statistical foundations. Applications will be selected from existing research literature.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the LT.
Teaching will consist of 10 x 2-hour lectures during the LT and 9 x 1-hour classes. Classes will be conducted in a computer lab.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 problem set and 1 case study in the LT.
Indicative reading
Stock & Watson: "Introduction to Econometrics", Pearson International (various editions, all equally valid)
Dunning: "Natural experiments in the social sciences", CUP 2012
Angrist & Pischke: "Mastering metrics", Princeton University Press 2015
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2019/20: 7
Average class size 2019/20: 7
Capped 2019/20: Yes (15)
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.