About this course: How can we know if the differences in wages between men and women are caused by discrimination or differences in background characteristics? In this PhD-level course we look at causal effects as opposed to spurious relationships. We will discuss how they can be identified in the social sciences using quantitative data, and describe how this can help us understand social mechanisms.
Created by: University of Copenhagen
Taught by: Anders Holm, Professor
Department of Sociology
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The Nature of Causal Effects and How to Measure Them
Welcome to the first week of the course! Thıs week we are looking at the nature of causal effects and how to measure them.
1 video, 1 reading
- Reading: Course information
- Video: Lecture 1 - The Nature of Causal Effects and How to Measure Them
Graded: Module 1 Lecture Quiz
Graded: Module 1 Case Quiz
WEEK 2
The Multivariate Regression Model and Mediating Factors
This second module introduces you multivariate regression model and the concept of mediating factors.
1 video
Graded: Module 2 Lecture Quiz
Graded: Module 2 Case Quiz
WEEK 3
Randomized Controlled Trials
In this third week of the course we are having a closer look at causality and the randomzied controlled trial.
1 video
Graded: Module 3 Lecture Quiz
Graded: Module 3 Case Quiz
WEEK 4
Instrumental Variables
The fourth week of the course we will go through the concept of instrumental variables.
1 video
Graded: Module 4 Lecture Quiz
Graded: Module 4a Case Quiz
Graded: Module 4b Case Quiz
WEEK 5
Difference in Difference
The final module of the course deals with the difference in difference. We hope you enjoyed the course and have learned something that you can use in your future work and research.
1 video
Graded: Module 5 Lecture Quiz
Graded: Module 5 Case Cuiz
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University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.
Ratings and Reviews
The course covers many important topics with good examples but could have been longer and more detailed about various assumptions and their violations. The accent of the instructor and many algebraic notations are diificult to understand for non-mathematicians or non-statisticians like myself.
Very good course! I learned a lot. I missed readings and other complementary material.
The course is great. Although it is really fast and requires some advanced understanding of algebra and statistics, it is not bad. However, I would reccommend to expand it and to include the advances in non-manipulative causation, as sustained by proff. J. Pearl and F. Squazzoni (specifically talking about sociology).
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TW
Good course that takes participants from linear regression to RCT and approaches for causal inference in observational data. Four stars are given as some of the quizes include questions on specific estimates from lectures instead of more general aspects.