FHE5110 – Introduction to Causal Inference
Course description
Course content
Causal inference is the task of drawing conclusions from data about the effects of treatments and other type of exposures. Methods for causal inference give a precise way of approaching these issues and can help researchers avoid common pitfalls. In epidemiology, as well as in many other fields, formal methods for causal inference play an increasingly central role. This course aim to make the participants acquainted with basic concepts and methods, central to modern epidemiology. Among the topics being covered are: - randomization and target trials - introduction to estimands and counterfactuals - causal directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) - methods for confounding adjustments.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- explain/describe differences and similarities between randomized and observational studies of effect
- explain/describe the concepts of estimands and counterfactuals
- explain/describe the basic assumptions needed for causal inference
- explain/describe the basic rules of causal graph (DAG) theory
- distinguish between different methods for handling confounding
Skills
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- precisely articulate research questions using causal language
- critically review both randomized and observational studies
- use DAGs in practice
- apply basic methods for handling confounding
General competence
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- reflect upon the assumptions needed for causal inference
- critically evaluate conclusions made from epidemiological studies
- appreciate the role of causal inference methodology for generating evidence in health research
Admission
This course is only available for master students at Folkehelsevitenskap og epidemiologi (FHE), and International Community Health (ICH). Students at FHE and ICH must apply for this course in Studentweb.
- Students at Folkehelsevitenskap og epidemiologi have priority
- There are 10 available seats for students at International Community Health. If there are more than 10 applicants from International Community Health, the principle of the first come, first served applies.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
- INTHE4020 Introduction to Quantitative Methods; or equivalent
- INTHE4021 Introduction to Epidemiology; or equivalent
- FHE4120 Introduction to Logistic and Cox Regression
Overlapping courses
4 credits overlap with MF9570 Casual Inference
Teaching
- The course consists of lectures, exercises and discussions.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Written exam, individual.
Grading
The Board at the University of Oslo has decided to introduce detailed guidelines for all examinations, which take place at the University. The description of the grading should be clear and transparent. This is done to ensure alignment between learning outcomes, assignments, and grading. The Faculty of Medicine has developed a web page with information regarding exams and the grading procedures.
Digital examination
The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about written examinations using Inspera.
Examination support material
Only the two following calculators are allowed as examination support material:
- Citizen SR-270X/SR-270X (College)
- Casio FX-82EX
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.