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Treatment Effects and Program Evaluation (ECOM90023)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to familiarize students with the tools commonly used for identifying and estimating treatment effects and evaluating programs and policies. Topics to be covered include the use and interpretation of Difference in Difference, Instrumental Variables, and Regression Discontinuity Design Estimators. The main theoretical ideas are illustrated with examples drawn from recent applications in the literature. Computer software such as Stata will be used. This subject also provides students with the experience of carrying out a research-based project on a specific topic in applied econometrics.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Identify the problem of causal treatment effects using observational data
- Identify the circumstances under which randomized control trials can be used to overcome the problem of identification of causal treatment effects
- Evaluate the assumptions under which the microeconometric estimators studied are able to identify causal treatment effects
- Evaluate the assumptions underlying the identification strategy for each estimator studied including their benefits and limitations
- Be able to choose amongst alternative estimators of causal treatment effects and apply them to the analysis of real-world data
- Know how to interpret the results from estimation using the various microeconometric estimators studied and to derive appropriate conclusions regarding the treatment effect of a policy
- Be able to critically evaluate program evaluations and be able to effectively present and discuss research findings
- Orally present the results of an independent piece of research
- Complete a written research report
Generic skills
- High level of development: problem solving; statistical reasoning; interpretation and analysis; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.
- Moderate level of development: written communication; application of theory to practice; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
- Some level of development: oral communication; collaborative learning; team work.
Last updated: 3 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECOM30001 | Basic Econometrics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ECOM90002 | Econometrics 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1
| Week 4 | 10% |
Assignment 2
| Week 6 | 20% |
Research Project (including Oral Presentation)
| From Week 10 to Week 12 | 70% |
Additional details
Students are required to complete an oral presentation of their Research Project in Week 10. The final version of the Research Project is due in Week 12.
The Research Report is not to exceed 4,000 words. An electronic copy of the completed Research Report is required to be submitted. A copy of all data used and any relevant work-files containing transformed data will also be required to be submitted at the same time.
Last updated: 3 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Michael Coelli Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 hours' recorded lectures, 1 hour live online tutorial. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester
Last updated: 3 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Applied Econometrics - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 April 2024