This module deals with ex post policy analysis and the main techniques of policy impact analysis. After an introduction to the logic of intervention and the related set of impact indicators we move to counterfactual analysis and statistical analysis of causality. Then we will review the main techniques of impact assessment from randomized experiments to instrumental variables with practicals on Stata
• Gertler, P.J., Martinez, S., Premand , P., Rawlings, L.B., and Vermeersch, C.M.J., 2011. Impact Evaluation in Practice. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.
• Khandker, S.R., Koolwal, G.B., and Samad, H.A., 2010. Handbook on Impact Evaluation. Quantitative Methods and Practices. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank
• Martini A., Sisto M. 2009. Valutare il successo delle politiche pubbliche, Bologna: Il Mulino
Learning Objectives
Afer attending the course students should be able to identify the main techniques of impact assessment and to understand and assess a technical report about the impact analysis of programmes or policies
Prerequisites
Basic statistics and econometric knowledges as well as some information about the Stata software are welcomed although not strictly necessary
Teaching Methods
This module is taught either in standard classes or in the pc lab. Small group activities will be arranged as well such as reading and discussing papers, solving and discussing casual analysis or conterfactual exercises.
Standard classes: 16 hours
Small group activities: 8 hours
Practicals in the pc lab : 24 hours
Further information
All module materials (handouts, guidelines for small group activities, stata codes) are available on the Moodle platform. Please ask the convenor for the password
Type of Assessment
Course work (40% only for attending students): in small groups ( max 4 people), give a small presentation of an evaluation case study pointing out the intervention logic, the main indicators used, the methods used to evaluate the impact, the eventual weaknesses of the evaluation exercise
Final (60% for attending students, 100% for non attending students): with 3 open ended questions or casual analysis or counterfactual exercises ( time: 2 hours)
Course program
This module deals with ex post policy analysis and the main techniques of policy impact analysis. After an introduction to the logic of intervention and the related set of impact indicators we move to counterfactual analysis and statistical analysis of causality. Then we will review the main techniques of impact assessment from randomized experiments to instrumental variables with practicals on Stata