140.664.41
Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I
Location
Internet
Term
3rd Term
Department
Biostatistics
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online
Tu, Th, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
140.621-624 or 140.651-654, or consent of the instructor
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. Motivates methods 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:
- Discuss causal problems as potential interventions, through the framework of potential outcomes and assignment mechanisms
- Describe the spectrum of designs for both randomized and non-randomized studies
- Identify the situations for which non-randomized designs are most appropriate
- Apply methods for estimating causal effects, including propensity score techniques, instrumental variables (“encouragement designs”), and regression discontinuity
- Critically review research that claims to estimate causal effects with non-experimental data
- Discuss complications encountered in causal studies, including missing data, noncompliance, and hidden bias
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 60% 3 homework assignments
- 30% 1 additional homework assignment OR project (student choice)
- 10% Participation
Please note: This is the virtual/online section of a course that is also offered onsite. Students will need to commit to the modality for which they register.