IRVAPP BASIC SCHOOL 2022 FUNDAMENTALS AND METHODS FOR IMPACT EVALUATION OF PUBLIC POLICIES

The course is designed to be of particular benefit to Master, PhD students and researchers in all Social Sciences needing to undertake policy evaluation analysis using microdata. The school will present 1) the fundamental principles of impact evaluation with a specific focus on the counterfactual theory of causal inference and 2) a variety of statistical tools for counterfactual analysis (including Matching methods, Instrumental Variables, Regression Discontinuity Designs, Difference-in-Differences, and Synthetic Control Methods). Extensive laboratory sessions will provide the opportunity to apply the various techniques to specific education and anti-poverty policies. Training will require previous knowledge of basic principles for quantitative methods that correspond to those taught in introductory courses of statistics and econometrics at the undergraduate level. At least, a working knowledge of regression and multivariate analysis is expected. Although the exercises will be guided, basic familiarity with Stata is strongly recommended. The training sessions will be in Stata: a temporary Stata license will be release on demand.