Prof Jouni Kuha COL.8.04

This course is available on the MSc in Applied Social Data Science, MSc in Behavioural Science, MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Research), MSc in Political Science and Political Economy, MSc in Social Research Methods, MSc in Statistics, MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics), MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (LSE and Fudan), MSc in Statistics (Financial Statistics) (Research), MSc in Statistics (Research), MSc in Statistics (Social Statistics) and MSc in Statistics (Social Statistics) (Research). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is not controlled access. If you register for a place and meet the prerequisites, if any, you are likely to be given a place.

Knowledge of multiple linear regression and some familiarity with generalised linear models, to the level of MY452 or equivalent. Familiarity with notions of research design in the social sciences, to the level of MY400 or equivalent.

This course provides an introduction to statistical methods used for causal inference in the social sciences. Using the potential outcomes framework of causality, topics covered include research designs such as randomized experiments, observational studies, and so-called natural experiments. We explore the impact of noncompliance in randomized experiments, as well as nonignorable treatment assignment in observational studies. To analyse these research designs, the methods covered include experiments, matching, instrumental variables, difference-in-difference, and regression discontinuity. Examples are drawn from different social sciences. The course includes computer classes, where the R software is used for computation.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Lent Term. This year, the lectures may be delivered live or as short online videos. The classes will be live and in person, and delivered online or in class.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of LT.

Exercises from the computer classes can be submitted for feedback.

• Angrist, J. D. and Pischke, J.-S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics.
• Princeton University Press. Rosenbaum, P.R. (2010). Design of Observational Studies. Springer.
• Holland, Paul W. “Statistics and Causal Inference.” Journal of the American Statistical Association 81(396): 945-960.

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.