Causal Inference for Data Science, Video Edition

When you know the cause of an event, you can affect its outcome. This accessible introduction to causal inference shows you how to determine causality and estimate effects using statistics and machine learning.

A/B tests or randomized controlled trials are expensive and often unfeasible in a business environment. Causal Inference for Data Science reveals the techniques and methodologies you can use to identify causes from data, even when no experiment or test has been performed.

In Causal Inference for Data Science you will learn how to
Model reality using causal graphs
Estimate causal effects using statistical and machine learning techniques
Determine when to use A/B tests, causal inference, and machine learning
Explain and assess objectives, assumptions, risks, and limitations
Determine if you have enough variables for your analysis

It’s possible to predict events without knowing what causes them. Understanding causality allows you both to make data-driven predictions and also intervene to affect the outcomes. Causal Inference for Data Science shows you how to build data science tools that can identify the root cause of trends and events. You’ll learn how to interpret historical data, understand customer behaviors, and empower management to apply optimal decisions.

About the Technology
Why did you get a particular result? What would have lead to a different outcome? These are the essential questions of causal inference. This powerful methodology improves your decisions by connecting cause and effect—even when you can’t run experiments, A/B tests, or expensive controlled trials.

About the Book
Causal Inference for Data Science introduces techniques to apply causal reasoning to ordinary business scenarios. And with this clearly-written, practical guide, you won’t need advanced statistics or high-level math to put causal inference into practice! By applying a simple approach based on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), you’ll learn to assess advertising performance, pick productive health treatments, deliver effective product pricing, and more.

What's Inside
When to use A/B tests, causal inference, and ML
Assess objectives, assumptions, risks, and limitations
Apply causal inference to real business data

About the Reader
For data scientists, ML engineers, and statisticians.

About the Author
Aleix Ruiz de Villa Robert is a data scientist with a PhD in mathematical analysis from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.