Data for Public Policy and Social Choices

Learn how to analyse data through pratical cases and causal methods

  • Duration: 12 hours
  • Language: English
  • Teaching modes: Blended - synchronous and non synchronous 
  • Calendar and registration: The link will be published in January 2026

 

Course programme

 
Synchronous class (2-hour class): an introduction to the role of data in public policies; correlation vs causality through intuitive examples.
Practical examples about tax fraud, corruption and ethical conduct.
Guided discussion about real cases of policy-making. 

Synchronous class (2-hour class): an intuitive introduction to the main causal methods: experiments, Difference-in-Differences, Synthetic Control.
Applications to impact assessment of public policies.
How to learn charts, coefficients, empirical results.
Final discussion: how to create a simple search query based on real data.

Non-synchronous module (MOOC + materials on "Virtuale"): Mooc modules "Why Do People Pay Taxes? Why Do People Engage in Corruption? Do Leaders Influence Ethical Behaviors?" Synthetic Control Methods, Machine Learning, and DiD Methodology; auto-evaluation test (one by module) and other materials helping students to put theory into practice.