EC984 Experimental Economics

 

Term 2

Module leader

Eugenio Proto , Ganna Pogrebna & Graham Loomes

Aims

The module will introduce students to issues and principles of experimental design, conduct and analysis across the areas which have been the main subject matter of experimental economics - markets, public goods, game theory and individual decision making. It will encourage students to consider the scope and limitations of 'laboratory' experiments in economics and to compare this research tool with others such as surveys and field experiments

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of applying experimental methods in economic research - and in particular, identify the different areas of economic behaviour where such methods are more or less useful.
  • Demonstrate understanding of and apply basic principles of experimental design, conduct and analysis.
  • Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate key experiments in the different areas where experimental methods have most often been applied.
  • Evaluate the main controversies in the field.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how such methods might be used to address issues that are, as yet, unresolved.

Syllabus

Please see Further Details page for the Syllabus.

Organisation

Please see Teaching Timetable.

Pre-requisites

 

Key readings

Kagel, J. and Roth, A. (eds.) (1996), The Handbook of Experimental Economics, New Jersey, NJ: Princeton.
Davis, D.D. and Holt, C.A. (1992), Experimental Economics, New Jersey, NJ: Princeton.
Bardsley, N., Cubitt, R., Loomes, G., Moffatt, P., Starmer, C. & Sugden, R. (2009), Experimental Economics: Rethinking the Rules, New Jersey, NJ: Princeton

Assessment

2-hour written exam (100%) in May 2012