Causal Diagrams: Draw Your Assumptions Before Your Conclusions

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9 weeks long

Brief Introduction

Learn simple graphical rules that allow you to use intuitive pictures to improve study design and data analysis for causal inference.

Course Summary

Learn how to draw causal diagrams to help you understand the relationships between variables and make better decisions. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their critical thinking and analytical skills.

Key Learning Points

  • Understand the basics of causal diagrams and how they can be used to make better decisions
  • Learn how to draw a causal diagram and interpret the relationships between variables
  • Explore real-world examples of how causal diagrams can be used in various fields such as healthcare, education, and politics

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

  • Data Analyst
    • USA: $64,000 - $115,000
    • India: ₹500,000 - ₹1,500,000
    • Spain: €30,000 - €50,000
  • Policy Analyst
    • USA: $52,000 - $98,000
    • India: ₹400,000 - ₹1,200,000
    • Spain: €25,000 - €45,000
  • Research Scientist
    • USA: $68,000 - $142,000
    • India: ₹600,000 - ₹2,000,000
    • Spain: €35,000 - €60,000

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to draw and interpret causal diagrams
  • Improved critical thinking and analytical skills
  • Understanding of how causal diagrams can be applied in various fields

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic knowledge of statistics and probability
  • Familiarity with Excel or other data analysis tools

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online Self-paced Course
  • Video Lectures
  • Quizzes and Assignments

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Related Education Paths


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Description

Course description

Causal diagrams have revolutionized the way in which researchers ask: Does X have a causal effect on Y? They have become a key tool for researchers who study the effects of treatments, exposures, and policies. By summarizing and communicating assumptions about the causal structure of a problem, causal diagrams have helped clarify apparent paradoxes, describe common biases, and identify adjustment variables. As a result, a sound understanding of causal diagrams is becoming increasingly important in many scientific disciplines.

The first part of this course is comprised of five lessons that introduce the theory of causal diagrams and describe its applications to causal inference. The fifth lesson provides a simple graphical description of the bias of conventional statistical methods for confounding adjustment in the presence of time-varying covariates. The second part of the course presents a series of case studies that highlight the practical applications of causal diagrams to real-world questions from the health and social sciences.

Professor Photo Credit: Anders Ahlbom

Knowledge

  • What you'll learn
  • How to translate expert knowledge into a causal diagram
  • How to draw causal diagrams under different assumptions
  • Using causal diagrams to identify common biases
  • Using causal diagrams to guide data analysis

Summary of User Reviews

Discover causal diagrams and improve your analytical skills with this Harvard online course. Users have given positive feedback about the course's engaging and interactive content.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Engaging and interactive content

Pros from User Reviews

  • In-depth coverage of the topic
  • Well-structured material
  • Expert instructors
  • Practical examples and exercises
  • Flexible schedule and self-paced learning

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course challenging
  • Limited interaction with other students
  • Not suitable for beginners
  • Expensive compared to other online courses
  • Some technical issues with the platform
Free*
English
10th Jun, 2020
10th Jun, 2021
9 weeks long
Miguel Hernán
Harvard University, Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Harvard University

Instructor

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