We have all heard the phrase “correlation does not equal causation.” What, then, does equal causation? This course aims to answer that question and more!
A Crash Course in Causality: Inferring Causal Effects from Observational Data
University of PennsylvaniaAbout this Course
Learner Career Outcomes
33%
27%
Skills you will gain
Learner Career Outcomes
33%
27%
Offered by

University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Welcome and Introduction to Causal Effects
This module focuses on defining causal effects using potential outcomes. A key distinction is made between setting/manipulating values and conditioning on variables. Key causal identifying assumptions are also introduced.
Confounding and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs)
This module introduces directed acyclic graphs. By understanding various rules about these graphs, learners can identify whether a set of variables is sufficient to control for confounding.
Matching and Propensity Scores
An overview of matching methods for estimating causal effects is presented, including matching directly on confounders and matching on the propensity score. The ideas are illustrated with data analysis examples in R.
Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW)
Inverse probability of treatment weighting, as a method to estimate causal effects, is introduced. The ideas are illustrated with an IPTW data analysis in R.
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM A CRASH COURSE IN CAUSALITY: INFERRING CAUSAL EFFECTS FROM OBSERVATIONAL DATA
Very easy to follow examples and great coverage for such an important topic! The delivery sometimes get repetitive and I wish we talked more about how the uncertainties are derived.
A high quality course that delivers what it says in the title. Well-paced introduction to the potential outcomes framework, with a nice balance of theoretical and practical aspects.
I really enjoyed this course, the pace could be more even in parts. Sometimes the pace could be more even and some more books/reference material for further study would be nice.
The material is great. Just wished the professor was more active in the discussion forum. Have not showed up in the forum for weeks. At least there should be a TA or something.
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