Book Image

Causal Inference and Discovery in Python

By : Aleksander Molak
4.7 (9)
Book Image

Causal Inference and Discovery in Python

4.7 (9)
By: Aleksander Molak

Overview of this book

Causal methods present unique challenges compared to traditional machine learning and statistics. Learning causality can be challenging, but it offers distinct advantages that elude a purely statistical mindset. Causal Inference and Discovery in Python helps you unlock the potential of causality. You’ll start with basic motivations behind causal thinking and a comprehensive introduction to Pearlian causal concepts, such as structural causal models, interventions, counterfactuals, and more. Each concept is accompanied by a theoretical explanation and a set of practical exercises with Python code. Next, you’ll dive into the world of causal effect estimation, consistently progressing towards modern machine learning methods. Step-by-step, you’ll discover Python causal ecosystem and harness the power of cutting-edge algorithms. You’ll further explore the mechanics of how “causes leave traces” and compare the main families of causal discovery algorithms. The final chapter gives you a broad outlook into the future of causal AI where we examine challenges and opportunities and provide you with a comprehensive list of resources to learn more. By the end of this book, you will be able to build your own models for causal inference and discovery using statistical and machine learning techniques as well as perform basic project assessment.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
1
Part 1: Causality – an Introduction
7
Part 2: Causal Inference
14
Part 3: Causal Discovery

Part 2: Causal Inference

In the first chapter of Part 2, we will deepen and strengthen our understanding of the important properties of graphical models and their connections to statistical quantities.

In Chapter 7, we’ll introduce the four-step process of causal inference that will help us translate what we’ve learned so far into code in a structured manner.

In Chapter 8, we’ll take a deeper look at important causal inference assumptions, which are critical to run unbiased causal analysis.

In the last two chapters, we’ll introduce a number of causal estimators that will allow us to estimate average and individualized causal effects.

This part comprises the following chapters:

  • Chapter 6, Nodes, Edges, and Statistical (In)dependence
  • Chapter 7, The Four-Step Process of Causal Inference
  • Chapter 8, Causal Models – Assumptions and Challenges
  • Chapter 9, Causal Inference and Machine Learning – from Matching to...