B019129 - AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY EVALUATION LAB.

English

The Course provides an introduction to Impact Analysys undrlining its role within the Policy Cycle. The main techniques of analysis (differences in differences, regression discontinuity design, matching) are illustrated with empirical applications. Counterfactual analysis is carried on also with the help of macroeconomic models. Finally, the Tuscan Rural Development plan is analysed.

Gertler, P.J.,
Martinez S., Premand,P., Rawlings, L.B., and Vermeersch,C.M.J.,2011. Impact Evaluation in Practice.
Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.
Khandker, S.R., Koolwal,G.B.,and Samad, H.A.,2010. Handbook on Impact Evaluation. Quantitative Methods
and Practices. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.

knowledges: role of impact evaluation in policy processes, main quantitative methods of policy impact evaluation for rural and agrienvironmental policies

skills: to identify data needs for impact evaluation, to apply the main impact evaluation methods to a simple case using the R language

Capacities aquired after attending classes :to be able to carry out simple impact evaluation using R

basic econometrics

Lab practicals: 24 hours

written examination paper+viva

Introduction to policy evaluation. Ex ante evaluation.
Ex post evaluation. Counterfactual.
Experimental designs
Regression discontinuity design
Difference in differences
Matching: propensity score
Matching techniques
Models in impact analysis
Social Account Matrix (SAM)
Ongoing evaluation of complex programs: the case of Rural Development Plan (PSR)
PSR: the case of Tuscany
Tutorials

Introduction to R econometric package – 1
The training dataset. Training session on experimental designs
Training session on regression discontinuity design
Training session on difference in differences
Training session on propensity score
Training session on matching:
Counterfactual analysis in a SAM framework
Documentation on Tuscany PSR