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ECON42650

Academic Year 2024/2025

Experiments in Economics (ECON42650)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Orla Doyle
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

“It is possible to make significant progress against poverty in the world by focusing on well-defined questions and being as rigorous as possible in answering those questions in the real world” Prof. Esther Duflo, Nobel Prize Banquet Speech 2019.

This module sits firmly in Duflo’s vision for the role of economists in public policy by creating empirically grounded research which uses causal methods to inform policy debates and design. This module provides a detailed overview of the key methods for examining causal relationships and testing theoretical mechanisms in behavioural economics. The module is divided into two sections. First, we will examine the use of randomised controlled field trials in behavioural economics. Second, we examine the use of online and lab experiments in behavioural economics. The module will cover all aspects of conducting an experiment including study design, ethical approval, randomisation, power analysis, measurement, analysis, and validity. For your assignment, you will have the opportunity to design and conduct a lab/survey experiment. The aim of the assignment is to apply the theoretical frameworks covered in the module to the practical application of field and online and lab experiments.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, you will be able to:
• Describe the key experimental and causal methods in behavioural economics
• Articulate key methodological debates on causal methods
• Demonstrable theoretical knowledge on the key processes involved in conducting field, online, and lab experiments
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of field, online, and lab experiments
• Apply practical experience in designing a field, online, and lab experiment.

Indicative Module Content:

Module Overview & Introduction to Randomised Controlled Trials I
Introduction to Randomised Controlled Trials II
Methods of Randomisation
Power Analysis & Sample Size
Measurement
Analysis & Threats to Validity
Lab/survey Experiments: Practical Guide
Data Analysis
Social, Risk and time preferences
A Moment of Creation (Kahneman and Tversky, 1979)
Laboratory “Exhibits” in Behavioural Economics
Designing Lab Experiments for Strong Inference

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Lectures

24
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Multiple different teaching and learning approaches will be used in this module including reflective learning, class discussion, group work, lectures and tutorials


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Design, implement, and analyse a lab/online survey experiment of your choice. Week 15 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
100
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Vessela Daskalova Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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