Postgraduate course
2020/2021
Quantitative Approaches to Policy Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Type:
Elective course
Area of studies:
Economics
Delivered by:
Department of Applied Economics
When:
2 year, 2 semester
Mode of studies:
offline
Instructors:
Elena Kotyrlo
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge and skills of quantitative methods of ex ante and ex post policy evaluation. The course focuses on complexity of identifying the precise effects of a policy. It provides a comprehensive overview of methods and approaches in designing and evaluating programs and policies under uncertainty and confounding conditions. Several reform cases and their evaluation that will be presented in the course. The topics of the study are aimed to review various areas of economics, where policy evaluation can be implemented. The cases will be mostly based on Russian experience. As ex ante evaluation, a simulation and calibration of general equilibrium model will be demonstrated. Classes will include discussion on data sources and their quality, practice in empirical estimation of treatment effects, modelling of ex-ante impact assessment, and presentations of empirical research papers from the evaluation literature. The course will include the use of STATA, MS Excel, and GAMS. Use of R and other statistical analysis software is optional.
Learning Objectives
- The course provides students with: a range of quantitative methods of policy evaluation and impact assessment; examples of their application; problems that arise when evaluating programs and policies; directions of further development in the area of policy evaluation and impact assessment; practical exercises that can help in research and analytic activity.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Ability to choose and apply research methods that are adequate to the subject and objectives of the study.
- The student is able to assess the required econometric models using available statistical data using modern statistical software.
- The student is able to propose an econometric model that approximates and explains the processes taking place in society, as well as an adequate method for its evaluation
- The student is able to find the necessary statistical data for research.
- The student is able to propose an econometric model that approximates and explains the processes taking place in society, as well as an adequate method for its evaluation.
- The student is able to assess the required econometric models using available statistical data using modern statistical software
- Ability to solve set tasks using the latest domestic and foreign experience and with the use of modern technical means and information technologies
Course Contents
- Introduction
- Randomization
- Propensity score matching
- Difference-in-difference approach
- Endogenous Treatment. Instrumental variables
- Binary outcome models with endogenous treatment
- Switching regression with endogenous treatment
- Regression discontinuity design
- Measuring Distributional Program Effects. Quantile regression
- Computable General Equilibrium Model
- Using Economic Models to Evaluate Policies
