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330.626.11
Estimating the Effects of Mental Health Interventions in Non-Experimental Settings

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Mental Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2012 - 2013
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Thursday, June 14, 2012
End Date
Friday, June 15, 2012
Class Time(s)
Th, F, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Other Year
Next Offered
2024 - 2025
Prerequisite

Experience with linear and logistic regression.

Description
Discusses the importance of the careful design of non-experimental studies, and the role of propensity scores in that design, with the main goal of providing practical guidance on the use of propensity scores in mental health research. Covers the primary ways of using propensity scores to adjust for confounders when estimating the effect of a particular “cause” or “intervention,” including weighting, subclassification, and matching. Examines issues such as how to specify and estimate the propensity score model, selecting covariates to include in the model, and diagnostics. Draws examples from school-based prevention research, drug abuse and dependence, and non-randomized treatment trials, among others. Primarily emphasizes non-experimental studies; however, also discusses applications to randomized trials. The second day provides hands-on experience with software for implementing propensity score analyses. Primary emphasis is on the MatchIt package for the open-source R statistical sof
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify the characteristics of well-designed non-experimental studies
  2. Explain the role of propensity scores in non-experimental studies
  3. Specify and diagnose a propensity score model
  4. Implement propensity score methods, including subclassification and matching