public policy evaluation using Stata

Providing effective evaluation of different economic measures has become an increasingly important requirement for public policy makers. This course seeks to provide participants with the essential tools for conducting statistical and econometric analysis of different public policies using Stata, most notably labour market, and public finance policies. As such, the course starts with introduction to the Stata and is followed by practical exercises that show how to handle survey data. Then, the course covers indicators that evaluate equity and efficiency effects of public policies in Stata.  Course is developed to encompass both standard statistical methods of program evaluation (e.g., instrumental variables, limited dependent variable regression models) and the more advanced econometric techniques (e.g., difference-in-differences, propensity score matching). At the end of the course participants are expected to be able to master complex evaluation design by identifying the type of data required in their specific policy framework; evaluating which specific econometric method is more appropriate for the analysis in hand; and finally extracting policy recommendations from the obtained results. Through the course, students will acquire practical skills necessary for public policy analysis, supplementing theoretical knowledge in microeconomics and macroeconomics.