Programme Content
The course will broadly be divided into the following modules: Module 1): Introduction to Experimental Research and Causal Thinking Introduction to experimental research and impact evaluation; formulation of research and policy questions in terms of causal effects, clearly distinguishing correlation from causation. Module 2): Bias & Validity (Identify, diagnose, and mitigate selection bias, confounding, spillovers, and threats to internal and external validity) - Hawthorne effect; demand characteristics; demand effect; external validity; internal validity; biases history, selection, maturation, mortality, instrument etc. Module 3): Experimental Designs (Design and justify experimental and quasi-experimental evaluations (RCTs, DiD, RDD, IV) appropriate to real-world constraints) - True designs and quasi designs Pre test post test control; post test control; combinations and factorial designs; regression discontinuity and more. Module 4): AI-Augmented Evaluation - Use of AI and data tools responsibly to supportnot replacecausal reasoning, including model selection, diagnostics, and interpretation. Module 5): Real-Time Demonstration and Evaluation Real time demonstration will be given by replicating one true experimental study (design) (RCT) and one quasi experimental study (design) (using difference in difference); The following papers will mostly be replicated*: Sukhtankar, Sandip. 2017. "Replications in Development Economics." American Economic Review, 107 (5): 3236. Biswas, S., & Das, U. (2022). Adding fuel to human capital: Exploring the educational effects of cooking fuel choice from rural India. Energy Economics, 105, 105744. (*The participants need to have STATA and their own desktop/laptop to work parallelly during demonstration/replication). Participants will acquire experimental research skills through two real cases. Module 6): Ethics in Experimental Research - Apply ethical principles in experimentation, including consent, debriefing, potential harm, rights, transparency, and accountability etc.
