Econometric Impact Evaluation for Development (EIB-E247)

Fall 2026 · EIB E247 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

One of the primary challenges for policymakers, development practitioners, donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is understanding what policies and interventions are the most effective in improving the welfare of the world’s poor. While monitoring and evaluation is useful in determining whether a program is on the “right track”, impact evaluation sets the focus on assessing the causal impacts of policies and interventions. For example, how does a program that sends cash directly to households living in extreme poverty affect food security, household assets, and psychological well-being? Does increasing female income improve the education and health of girls? What is the causal effect of attending secondary school on fertility and occupational choices? The objective of this course is to provide students with a set of theoretical, econometric and practical skills to estimate the causal impact of a policy or program, with a particular focus on development programs. The course will introduce students to a set of econometric techniques that are commonly used in impact evaluation, including randomized control trials, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, and regression discontinuity. Examples will be drawn from a variety of sectors, including health, education, financial services and governance.

Course codes: EIB-E247

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