Regression Discontinuity (RD) and pipeline methods
Analysis of distributional impacts
Structural and other modeling approaches
Interpret and communicate quantitative findings effectively to inform policy decisions in a development context.
Critically assess empirical studies and policy evaluations using rigorous quantitative evidence.
Course Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites
Teaching Methods
The teaching activity combines lectures, hands-on computer sessions, and applied case studies. Classes are designed to bridge theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on empirical data analysis using STATA.
Students will:
Work with real-world datasets to apply data cleaning, management, and processing techniques.
Develop and estimate policy models using quantitative and econometric methods.
Engage in laboratory sessions to replicate and interpret empirical studies.
Participate in group assignments focused on policy evaluation design and interpretation.
Throughout the course, participants are encouraged to critically discuss methodological choices, interpret quantitative evidence, and translate analytical results into policy-relevant insights.
Assessment Methods
Written exam
Texts
Material provided by the instructor
Contents
This course introduces the principles and tools of evidence-based policy making with a strong focus on quantitative methods. Students learn how to manage the full data analysis workflow — from defining a research question, collecting and cleaning data, to producing policy-relevant results — using STATA software.
The programme covers both ex-ante and ex-post policy evaluation techniques. Ex-ante analysis is introduced through Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs), multiplier models, and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. Ex-post impact evaluation methods include randomized evaluations, propensity score matching (PSM), difference-in-differences (DD), instrumental variables (IV), regression discontinuity (RD), and structural modelling approaches.
By the end of the course, students will be able to design, implement, and interpret rigorous quantitative analyses to inform development policy decisions.
