Causal Inference for Statistics, Social, and Biomedical Sciences: An Introduction

Some people are of the opinion that statistics should replace calculus in high school/college curricula because of the importance of analytics in the modern business world. I think a similar argument could be made about replacing some of the more esoteric parts of graduate statistics/econometrics with causal inference theory. If that opinion is correct, this would be an excellent reference text. Causal inference theory is important because the regression techniques now taught to young social scientists as methods of determining cause and effect assume endogeneity when the data often don't support such an assumption. They also impose a linear model on the data that can be similarly inappropriate. The non-parametric techniques discussed by Rubin and Imbens, while having their own assumptions, are applicable to a wider range of problems. Rubin and Imbens summarize the voluminous literature on propensity score and related causal inference techniques in a manner that is accessible to someone with a solid background in statistics (both frequentist and Bayesian). I read the book cover to cover and, despite already knowing something about Propensity Score techniques, learned a great deal. They begin with randomized experiments then explain how the mathematical models developed for such methods are also applicable to observational studies. They then discuss various methods of using the Propensity Score along with tests of the plausibility of such models and bias limits when some of the assumptions in these models are relaxed. One complaint I have is that the different types of exact matching are barely discussed. Considering the growing importance of techniques like Coarsened Exact Matching, this seems like a significant oversight. In addition, the book contains no exercises making it difficult to use as a textbook without some supplementary material. All in all, though, this work is a must have for those engaged in Causal Inference either academically or in the business world. Even those not making active use of these techniques might find applications to their empirical work once they understand how to properly use Propensity Score analysis.

Well written book. Already start reading it for my research

Excellent book exactly directed toward checking the effect of drugs, chemicals and other factors on the population.

A great book. It has careful and easy (to follow) arguments that help to understand interestign situations.

The only shortcoming is that font is small. If the margin is reduced to give more space to the context, that would be perfect!

I really love it.

Recommended strongly by Prof. Strauss, really the best!

Imbens & Rubin are masters.

I bought this book for assess experiments in social science field. It is well written and contains all the information required in order to have a good preparation in causal inference. I appreciated the logical path and his linear structure!

item as expected

An up to date work for Statisticians keep involved and in contact with the techniques that make difference. I recommend, it's being very useful to me.

Bought the Kindle version and it s impossible to read. Some equations are illegible. Others are not formatted correctly, part of equations appear as blank squares (e.g. the four inline equations before equation 14.1), I tried reading this on Kindle, on Kindle on PC, neither works. Finally when I read it on my iPhone then the equations appear to be correct. But even on the iPhone most of the equations appear to be very faint - they are scanned pictures, not really typesetted using the proper mathematical signs. If Cambridge University Pres is going to sell this kind of book electronically - i.e. books with plenty of equations and grapics - could you at least make it readable? They used to sell books in PDF and then suddenly terminated the practice, making it nearly impossible to get access to these books electronically. I think future authors should think very carefully if they are going to publish w CUP for this reason. People are increasing reading their books on electronic devices, and if CUP is not moving with time then people should look for better outlets.