Module SGIA40F15: Causal Inference

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA40F15: Causal Inference

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide an overview of causal inference frameworks and of research designs and techniques used in social science and other fields to answer questions on causation.
• To facilitate understanding of different causal inference designs and techniques.
• To teach the application of causal inference designs and techniques using open source software tools.
• To introduce state of the art applications of causal inference techniques to research topics from the domain of social science.

Content

• The material is organized into five lecture-seminar pairs. Each pair first provides a theoretical and conceptual overview of a set of causal inference tools and then practices them on simulated and real examples from the domain of social science.
• The five pairs may include topics such as; Randomized experiments, Selection on observables: matching, and regression, Difference-in-Differences, Synthetic Control, Matrix Completion, Instrumental Variables, Regression Discontinuity Design, Double Machine Learning.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have a working knowledge and understanding of the following areas:
• Frameworks for causal inference and the specialised use of causal inference techniques in social science research;
• Computational implementation of advanced causal inference techniques;
• Complexity of strengths and limitations of different causal inference designs and techniques in social science.

• Navigate the landscape of causal inference research design
• Demonstrate a working technical knowledge of how to use causal inference techniques;
• Ability to interpret and communicate causal analyses to different audiences.

• Students will also develop some important key skills, suitable for underpinning study at this and subsequent levels, such as:
• Critical appraisal of advanced causal inference designs and techniques and of their applications.
• Application of experimental and observational designs for causal inference.
• Application of causal inference techniques, including in complex and specialised contexts.
• Interpret and communicate causal inferences to wider audiences.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will demonstrate the conceptual foundations of causal inference in social science settings.
• Seminars: enable students to practice some of the key causal inference techniques discussed in the module, using their implementations in R.
• Independent Reading: provides students with the opportunities to read widely, particularly in preparation for formative and summative assessments. Independent reading enables students to engage in debates within scholarly journals and research monographs, in ways that enhance a critical understanding and engagement with key issues in causal inference.
• Summative assignment is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of implementation and interpretation of causal inference techniques as applied to real social science problems, by conducting and reporting an original causal analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1,500 word report on a replication of a causal analysis from a published article

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University