Experimental Methods
Module description
Summary:
This course covers the fundamental principles guiding the design of economics experiments, including the methodology of economics experiments, as well as statistical issues inherent to the design of experiments. It also provides an introduction to the standard statistical tools used in economics experiments, as well as training in the Stata statistical software package.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
Economics experiments have entered the mainstream of empirical social science and are a tool applicable anywhere in the world.
Sustainability
All of the resources for this module are available on the ELE (Exeter learning Environment).
Employability
You will acquire the ability to empirically research most economic problem using a systematic approach. You will also develop a logical attitude towards the solution of problems, and confidence in identifying, calculating and solving research problems. These valuable skills will help you in employment in the fields of academia, government, international organisations or consultancy.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Experimental Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEEM127 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2017/8 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 15 |
| ECTS value: | 7.5 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 11 |
Module aims
The aim of this module is to introduce you to experimental economics methodology, to equip you with the necessary know-how to design a laboratory and/or field experiment, as well as the necessary statistical skills to be able to correctly evaluate the outcomes of the experiment.
Furthermore, you will be expected to become familiar with the methods of experimental economics.
You will learn to design and conduct an economics experiment, as well as learn how to evaluate the data generated by the experiment.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. be familiar with the methodology of and recent developments in experimental economics
- 2. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the statistical techniques required to evaluate experimental data, through the use of Stata
- 3. be able to design and conduct an economics experiment
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. evaluate how economic theories are developed and tested
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. understand how to design an experiment geared to test the impact of a policy
- 6. produce high quality work (whether in a group or individually) in written form
- 7. engage in critical thought and reasoned discussion
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 117 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 22 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 11 | Seminars |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly exercises | 3-5 questions per bi-weekly | 1-7 | Written or verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 60 | Maximum length 10 x A4 pages | 1-5 | Written or verbal |
| Assignment Presentation | 40 | 20 - 30 mins | 1-5 | Written or verbal |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment Essay and presentation | Assignment essay and presentation slides | 1-5 | August |
Syllabus plan
- Induced value theory
- Parametric and non-parametric tests of treatment effects
- Regression analysis applied to experimental data
- Sample size and power calculations
- Learning and Repeated Interaction
- Identifying preferences
- Meta-analysis of experimental data
- Ethics in experimental economics
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Friedman, D. and Sunder, S. 1994. Experimental Methods: A Primer for Economists. Cambridge University Press.
Friedman, D. and Cassar, A. 2004. Economics Lab: An Intensive Course in Experimental Economics. Routledge.
Guala, F. 2005. The Methodology of Experimental Economics. Cambridge University Press.
Bardsley, N. et al., Experimental Economics: Rethinking the Rules. Princeton University Press.
Sheskin, D. 2000. Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures 3rd ed. London: Chapman & Hall
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Origin date
16/06/2015
Last revision date
03/10/2017