Focusing on statistical inference, this book offers an introduction to the methodologies used in observational studies, emphasizing their importance in understanding treatment effects on individuals. It also delves into the principles that guide the design of these studies, making it a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of observational research.
A nontechnical guide to the basic ideas of modern causal inference, with illustrations from health, the economy, and public policy.Which of two antiviral drugs does the most to save people infected with Ebola virus? Does a daily glass of wine prolong or shorten life? Does winning the lottery make you more or less likely to go bankrupt? How do you identify genes that cause disease? Do unions raise wages? Do some antibiotics have lethal side effects? Does the Earned Income Tax Credit help people enter the workforce?Causal Inference provides a brief and nontechnical introduction to randomized experiments, propensity scores, natural experiments, instrumental variables, sensitivity analysis, and quasi-experimental devices. Ideas are illustrated with examples from medicine, epidemiology, economics and business, the social sciences, and public policy.