Prospectus

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Causal inference in Field Experiments

Course
2018-2019

Entry requirements

  • Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics

  • Inferential Statistics

  • Experimental and Correlational Research (or similar courses)

Description

An important part of the job of psychological research is discovering and explaining causal relationships. Randomised experiments form the best basis for causal inference. However, experimental manipulation of the independent variable cannot be realised for many research questions for practical, ethical, or principle reasons. Lack of generalisability of the results is another constraint of lab experiments. This is why causal relationships are sometimes studied exclusively, preferably or additionally in field settings. Research in field settings varies in the amount of control that the researcher has over the study characteristics. There are true experiments in natural settings such as hospitals, schools, and factories. Other (observational) studies have a quasi-experimental design, without control regarding the assignment of research units to a treatment or control condition. In evaluation research the intervention or programme is often decided on and delivered by an external organisation, and in case-control-studies the researcher can only try to arrange an optimally matched control group for the cases.

Course objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Judge conclusions from field experiments on all relevant aspects of research validity;

  • Propose an adequate research design, given the research question or hypothesis, to prevent of remove threats to research validity; and

  • Apply adequate data analyses for estimating treatment effects in field experiments, e.g. correction with propensity scores.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Lectures Work group sessions Exams

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator.

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures and 8 2-hour compulsory work group sessions.
The work group sessions consist of case discussions, student presentations of validity threats in published empirical field studies, and data analysis for estimating treatment effects.
You should attend at least 6 of 8 workgroups.

Assessment method

A written examination assesses students’ theoretical and factual knowledge of causal inference in field experiments. This examination consists of multiple-choice and essay questions (weight: 60% of the final grade). A short written paper assesses the application of this knowledge to the validity of the conclusions of a published field study (weight: 40% of the final grade). Adequate active participation during the workgroups is an overall requirement for being awarded a final grade.

The Institute of Psychology uses fixed rules for grade calculation and compulsory attendance. It also follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of these three policies.

Reading list

  • Shadish, Cook & Campbell (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

  • A number of additional papers on the estimation of treatment effects in field studies according to the Approach of Donald Rubin.

Contact information

Dr. Peter de Heus
deheus1@fsw.leidenuniv.nl