Description:
Causal inference has become the predominant toolbox in empirical research. The aim of this course is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of microeconometric methods that allow to draw causal inference in many settings and discuss the most-recent advances. The course will have a block-structure where we first discuss causality based on the potential outcome framework. After a brief discussion of experimental methods, we will introduce different popular quasi-experimental methods such as matching, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables or regression discontinuity. We will discuss the identifying assumptions and the pros and cons of each method based on empirical examples.
In the theoretical sessions, a pre-selected group of students will present their take on the main points of the course material (reverse classroom format). In this presentation, students are asked to summarize the content of the handout in 25-30 minutes and to prepare some questions on the material for the rest of the group. The second part of the theoretical sessions will be structured input by the lecturer.
The theoretical sessions will be complemented by practical sessions where the estimators will be implemented in STATA. Students will be provided with problem sets during the semester accompanying the topics covered in the theoretical sessions. Students are asked to solve the problem sets at home. Randomly selected groups of students will be asked to present their solutions for the problem sets and discuss their solution strategy and results with the other participants during the practical sessions.
Topics:
The course will be held weekly between April 7 and July 18, 2025, during the semester. The course contains both theory and practical sessions. There will be optional Zoom - office hours on Mondays & Fridays. Details in the time schedule.
Literature:
Paper-based. For an introduction, see Imbens G, Wooldridge J. (2009): Recent Developments in the Econometrics of Program Evaluation. Journal of Economic Literature, 2009;47(1):5-86.
Time:
13 sessions on Tuesdays, 10:15 – 11:45 and 5 additional sessions on Mondays, 10:15 – 11:45 - in person (no hybrid option) between April 7 and July 18, 2025; see time schedule for details.
(Optional: Office Hour/ STATA Help on Mondays & Fridays, 11-12am via Zoom)
Venue:
University of Potsdam, Campus Griebnitzsee
Exam:
Oral presentations in theoretical and practical sessions and written exam (90 min); all parts have to be passed in order to pass the course.
Updated course information will be available by end of March under https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/empwifo/studium-lehre/aktuelles-semester.html.
