3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

The purpose of the course is to show how experimental, quasi-experimental and non- experimental methods can be used to advance scientific knowledge about topics in economics. It will teach students the empirical techniques required to analyze experimental and non- experimental data to draw causal inference. The course will begin with a primer on the use of experimental methods in economics, specifically in the context of evaluating welfare programs and labor market policies. Students will then proceed to learn the empirical methods that can be employed to establish cause and effect, both when data is obtained through a randomized control trial (experimental data), or when randomization occurs naturally (quasi-experimental data). The tools and topics that are covered will not only be relevant to economics students, but will also be of interest to students from other social science departments.