Örebro University School of Business

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Knowledge and Understanding

After completed studies, the student shall have
- knowledge of the qualitative differences in drawing inference on causal relationships when using randomized experiments and observational data, respectively.
- knowledge of basic statistical methods to study causal relationships based on observational data.

Competence and Skills

After completed studies, the student shall be able to
- conduct analyses of register data for the study of causal relationships.

Judgement and Approach

After completed studies, the student shall be able to
- critically evaluate the quality of results from register based analyses.

The course begins with a discussion on the measurement of treatment effects based on randomized experiments, as well as limitations in the use of observational data for the analysis of causal relationships. Specifically, effects of individuals' selection into the treatment group and the control group are studied, as well as opportunities to control for self-selection.

Different methods for analysis when the selection problem can be controlled via the control of observable variables are thereafter studied. Special focus is given to different matching methods. In addition, techniques for analyzing the sensitivity of results to effects of unobservable factors are introduced.

A final part examines approaches for design and analysis of studies based on observational data when selection effects cannot be controlled with known background variables.

Teaching consists of a number of lectures and a number of workshops. The lectures aim to outline the areas and problems discussed whereby subsequent workshops are aimed at a student-driven discussion of the specific issues covered in the course.

The course includes a lab on analysis of register data. The work is reported orally an in writing.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Final Grade
For grade G on the course is required grade G on both parts of the examination. For VG on course requires a VG on both parts of the examination.

The final grade will be translated into the ECTS grading scale.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

First-cycle courses of 90 credits in statistics, including an independent project of 15 credits alternatively 30 credits are for studies in statistics and 60 credits for mathematicsas well as the course Statistics, Econometrics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Required Reading

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