Metrics methods for scholarship on teaching and learning in economics

Although the “credibility revolution” in economics has incentivized research focused on estimating causality, many scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) researchers have not adopted econometrics methods aimed at identifying causal effects. After providing a general overview of the types of studies often conducted in economic education research, the author of this article describes several causal estimators that SOTL researchers might consider, including difference in differences, regression-discontinuity, and instrumental variables. The discussion also highlights how researchers should carefully select treatment and comparison groups, use estimators appropriate to their setting, and engage in robustness checks of their results.