Section outline

  • Class 1: 

    a) Causal Inference in the Context of Observational Data: identifying threats to validity and integrating alternative frameworks

    This class introduces the overall framework of causal inference from observational data and compares the motivation typically given in modern epidemiology with traditional accounts of causation, including the very influential Cook & Campbell framework and the traditional Doll & Hill criteria. 
     

    b) Introduction to Representative Sampling

    We will introduce representative sampling, pros and cons of simple random samples, stratified sampling, and clustered sampling. This lays the groundwork for discussion of analyses of clustered data in the coming weeks. 

    Faculty:  Maria Glymour

    Location:      Rock Hall 102

    • In Class Quiz: Please try to complete the quiz prior to the lecture.  Only spend about 10 minutes on it.  

    • Session Slides:

    • Lecture 1 Slides File

    • Session Audio/Video Recording (Access restricted to registered students):

    • Watch URL


      Required Reading 

      Skim 2 chapters of Shadish Cook and Campbell: 

      Cook T, Campbell D, Shadish W. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference: Houghton Mifflin; 2002. chapter 2, Statistical conclusion validity and internal validity pg 33-63

      Cook T, Campbell D, Shadish W. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference: Houghton Mifflin; 2002. chapter 3, Construct validity and external validity pg 64-102

      Read Korn intro to sampling:

      Korn EL, Graubard BI. Epidemiologic studies utilizing surveys: accounting for the sampling design. Am J Public Health. 1991;81(9):1166–1173.

      Read a section of Winship

       Winship C, Morgan SL. The estimation of causal effects from observational data. Annual Review of Sociology. 1999;25:659-706.

      ONLY NEED TO READ PAGES 659-669: This is an excellent paper but takes a lot of work to get through. 

    • Shadish Cook and Campbell, Chapter 2 File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02
    • Shadish Cook and Campbell, chapter 3 File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02
    • Winship reading File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02
    • Korn reading on sampling File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02

    • Optional Reading:

         

         

      1. Cook T, Shadish W, Wong V. Three conditions under which experiments and observational studies produce comparable causal estimates: New findings from within-study comparisons. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. 2008;27(4):724-750. File
        Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02

      2. Assignment/Reading Response: Please post to the forum:

        1) Provide an example of 4 threats to validity that you have encountered in your research, drawing one from each of the domains Cook and Campbell delineate (statistical conclusion validity, internal validity, construct validity, and external validity).

        2) For any data set you frequently use, look up the sample design and describe it. 

         

      3. Welcome Quiz File