Experimental Economics

Module overview

This module will introduce students to experimental methods in economics. Emphasis will be on the methodology, in particular, statistical techniques necessary for establishing causality and valid inference, non-parametric and other useful non-standard statistical tests for experimental data, formal analysis of how scientific knowledge accumulates, in particular with respect to replication and meta-analysis.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Adopt and develop a sound quantitative approach to adress economic questions and problems.
apply quantitative skills necessary for designing experiments and observational studies, and for analysing evidence.
Critically evaluate the design and analysis of existing empirical research.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the design of lab and field experiments.
non-parametric and other state of the art econometric techniques for experimental, quasi-experimental and observational data.
main types of experimental economic research.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

reflect on scientific method, including replication and meta-analysis.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and masterclasses, including experimental classes. Module hand-outs, lectures notes and problem sets will be made available via Blackboard.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	125
Teaching	25
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

John H Kagel and Alvin ERoth (1995). The Handbook of Experimental Economics. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Murray Webster and Lane Sell (2007). Laboratory Experiments in the Social Sciences. Elsevier.

Harris Cooper, Larry Hedges, Jeffrey Valentine (2009). The Handbook of Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis. Russel Sage Foundation.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

The module will be assessed through a take-home assignment (worth 70% of the final mark) and two pieces of coursework (each worth 15% of the final mark). This is supported by continuous formative assessment through problem sets. This is the same for internal repeat. Assessment for external repeat and referal is through 100% take-home assignment.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework	15%
Coursework	15%
Assignment	70%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External