Policy Appraisal

Objectives

The course aims to prepare the student in terms of econometrics for Policy Evaluation, providing knowledge and understanding of the economic tools used to evaluate and assess public investments and policies. The core of the course is an introductory econometric content, aiming to bridge the gap between Statistics for Policy Action and Policy Evaluation. This econometric background is taught through practical examples of policy evaluation in governments and international institutions. The course also covers the basics of Cost Benefit Analysis and qualitative evaluation tools, as complementary approaches to quantitative policy appraisal. 

 

General characterization

Code

2743

Credits

3.5

Responsible teacher

Brais Alvarez Pereira

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

n/a 


Bibliography

Main reference: Markiewicz, Anne, and Ian Patrick. Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Sage Publications, 2015. 

HM Treasury, Magenta Book 2020, Central Government guidance on evaluation 

The Green Book: appraisal and evaluation in central government. Treasury Guidance, 2020. 

OECD 2020. Building Capacity for Evidence-Informed Policy-Making. Lessons from Country Experiences 

 

Teaching method

Lectures on course topics based on theoretical explanations illustrated with practical examples and case studies, review, and discussion. There will be frequent Stata practices using the materials in the course to improve students? ability with this software.

The course will involve a good deal of homework, including required readings, a group project that includes data-collection and econometric work using Stata, and working on weekly assignments. Assignments are due at requested dates on course schedule. On average, students should expect approximately 6/8 hours of work per week outside of the classroom- 


Evaluation method

Final Exam: 40%

Group project: 25%

Weekly assignments: 25%

Class participation: 10%.  


Subject matter

1- Doing policy analysis 

2- Descriptive quantitative policy evaluation 

3- Complementing findings from surveys: qualitative policy evaluation and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) 


Programs

Programs where the course is taught: