Checking date: 23/04/2024


Course: 2024/2025

Introduction to impact evaluation in sustainability
(19164)
Master in Global Sustainable Development and Global Governance (Plan: 473 - Estudio: 376)
EPC


Coordinating teacher: MORA VILLARRUBIA, RICARDO

Department assigned to the subject: Economics Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 3.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Basic knowledge of statistical concepts.
Objectives
This course aims to provide you with basic quantitative skills used in evaluating the impact of public policies and interventions. The goal is to help you develop the ability to understand the properties of techniques and critically read published research. This objective will be achieved through theoretical sessions, practical sessions in the classroom and teamwork. The specific skills that you will be able to acquire during the course are: - Understand the limitations of data and their consequences in empirical analysis. - Choice of appropriate empirical strategies for the evaluation of public interventions. - Interpret the results in terms of political implications. The general skills that you will be able to develop during the course are: - Understand the usefulness of alternative quantitative methods. - Ability to flexibly use their knowledge of quantitative methods in different research scenarios. Finally, the course should help you get - Critical thinking in research. - A more open and constructive research approach based on available information.
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
1.Introduction 2.Definitions of impact and result. Traditional strategies to measure results and impact. 3.Causal inference and measurement of counterfactuals. 4.Random selection and regression. 5.Quasi-experimental methods (I): Difference-in-difference. Instrumental variables. 6.Quasi-experimental methods (II): Matching. Regression discontinuity.
Learning activities and methodology
Theory sessions Classes Tutorials Group work Partial exam and final exam.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Basic Bibliography
  • Paul J. Gertler et al.. Impact Evaluation in Practice. World Bank Group.. 2016
Additional Bibliography
  • Allcott, H., Braghieri, L., Eichmeyer, S., and Gentzkow, M. . The Welfare Effects of Social Media. . American Economic Review 110: 629-76. 2020
  • Brainerd, E., & Menon, N. . Seasonal effects of water quality: The hidden costs of the Green Revolution to infant and child health in India. . Journal of Development Economics, 107, 49-64. 2014
  • Bueno, E. & Fowler, A. . Thinking Clearly with Data: A Guide to Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis. . Princeton University Press. New Jersey.. 2021
  • Kremer, M., Leino, J., Miguel, E., & Zwane, A. P. . Spring cleaning: Rural water impacts, valuation, and property rights institutions. . The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 126(1), 145-205.. 2011

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.