Case Studies

Real-world applications of causal inference across technology, healthcare, economics, marketing, education, and public policy. These stories show how causal thinking drives better decisions and where it can fail.

A Shock Before Birth: Almond (2006), the 1918 Pandemic, and Fetal Origins

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When a Budget Constraint Becomes an Experiment: Colombia's PACES School Vouchers

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China's Huai River and Life Expectancy: A Geographic Regression Discontinuity

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Ashenfelter and Krueger (1994): Twins, Schooling, and the Returns to Education

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The Tennessee Valley Authority: Kline and Moretti (2014) on Place-Based Industrial Policy

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Robots and Jobs: Acemoglu and Restrepo (2020) on Industrial Automation and Labour Markets

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PROGRESA and the Power of Randomised Phase-In: Mexico's Conditional Cash Transfer Programme

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Duflo (2001): School Construction, Returns to Education, and the IV-DiD Design in Indonesia

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Currie and Walker (2011): E-ZPass, Traffic Congestion, and Infant Health

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Angrist and Krueger (1991): Season of Birth, Compulsory Schooling, and Returns to Education

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Chetty, Friedman, and Rockoff (2014): Teacher Value-Added and Long-Run Outcomes

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Dell (2010): The Mita, Geography, and Long-Run Poverty in Peru

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Disease and Development: Bleakley (2007) on Hookworm Eradication and Long-Run Human Capital

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Maimonides' Rule: Angrist and Lavy (1999) on Class Size and Student Achievement in Israeli Schools

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Moving to Opportunity: Neighbourhood Effects and the Power of Randomised Housing Vouchers

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Regulation and Productivity: Greenstone (2002) on the Clean Air Act

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Railroads and Real Income: Donaldson (2018) on Infrastructure and Development in Colonial India

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The China Syndrome: Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013) on Import Competition and Local Labour Markets

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Class Size and Student Achievement: The Tennessee STAR Experiment

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Electoral Advantage and Regression Discontinuity: Lee (2008) on U.S. House Elections

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The Vietnam Draft Lottery: Angrist (1990) on Military Service and Earnings

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The Mariel Boatlift and Labour Market Effects: Card (1990) and the Immigration Debate

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Card and Krueger (1994) Revisited

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The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment

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