BIOSTATS 6018EX - Causal Inference

External - Semester 2 - 2020

This course covers modern statistical methods for assessing the causal effect of a treatment or exposure from randomised or observational studies. Content includes: Explanation of the fundamental concept of counterfactual or potential outcomes and an introduction to causal diagrams (or directed acyclic graphs (DAGs)) to visually identify confounding, selection and other biases that prevent unbiased estimation of causal effects. Key issues in defining causal effects that are able to be estimated in a range of contexts are presented using the concept of the ?target trial? to clarify exactly what the analysis seeks to estimate. A range of statistical methods for analysing data to produce estimates of causal effects are then introduced. Propensity score and related methods for estimating the causal effect of a single time point exposure are presented, together with extensions to longitudinal data with multiple exposure measurements, and methods to assess whether the effect of an exposure on an outcome is mediated by one or more intermediate variables. Comparisons will be made throughout with ?conventional? statistical methods. Emphasis will be placed on interpretation of results and understanding the assumptions required to allow causal conclusions. Stata and R software will be used to apply the methods to real study datasets.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOSTATS 6018EX
Course	Causal Inference
Coordinating Unit	Public Health
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	External
Units	3
Contact	12 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	BIOSTATS 6001EX, BIOSTATS 6003EX, BIOSTATS 6006EX or PUB HLTH 3010 or equivalent
Restrictions	Available to Grad Cert, Grad Dip, M Biostatistics students only
Assessment	Assignments (30%, 30%), Module assessments (40%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Amy Salter

Course Coordinator : Dr Amy Salter
Phone: +61 8313 4619
Email: amy.salter@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 9, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building, North Terrace

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

http://www.bca.edu.au/currentstudents.html#curriculum

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

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University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
Learning Resources

Required Resources

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Recommended Resources

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Online Learning

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Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

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Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

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Learning Activities Summary

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Specific Course Requirements

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The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

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Assessment Related Requirements

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Assessment Detail

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Submission

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Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator