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140.664.81
Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I

Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Biostatistics
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2014 - 2015
Instruction Method
TBD
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Elizabeth Stuart
Contact Email
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

140.611-12-13-14-20; or 140.621-624; or 140.651-654; or consent of the instructor

Description
Presents an overview of methods for estimating causal effects: how to answer the question of “What is the effect of A on B?” Includes discussion of randomized designs, but with more emphasis on alternative designs for when randomization is infeasible: matching methods, propensity scores, regression discontinuity, and instrumental variables. Methods are motivated by examples from the health sciences, particularly mental health and community or school-level interventions.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss causal problems as potential interventions, through the framework of potential outcomes and assignment mechanisms
  2. Describe the spectrum of designs for both randomized and non-randomized studies
  3. Identify the situations for which non-randomized designs are most appropriate
  4. Apply methods for estimating causal effects, including propensity score techniques, instrumental variables (“encouragement designs”), and regression discontinuity
  5. Critically review research that claims to estimate causal effects with non-experimental data
  6. Discuss complications encountered in causal studies, including missing data, noncompliance, and hidden bias
Jointly Offered With