IPAF 2000
Quantitative Approaches to Policy A

This course introduces students to basic methods of quantitative analysis. The course teaches how to describe the world quantitatively; evaluate sources and quality of data; distinguish association from causation; understand tradeoffs, uncertainty, and risk; and how to use estimation and modelling to evaluate claims and test theories. Students will learn a group of related approaches to collecting, interpreting, and presenting information about the world built using relatively simple and familiar logical, numerical, and statistical skills. The course emphasis is on applications using economic data and theories.