UPDATE: Meetings are held online until further notice: https://uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/j/63580462477 Meeting ID: 635 8046 2477 Passcode: 607045
This course introduces students to experimental methods in economics, focusing on how controlled experiments can be used to test economic theories and inform policy decisions. The course begins with an introduction to the role of experiments in economics, discussing their historical development and comparison with other empirical methods. It then covers the principles of designing and conducting experiments, compares lab and field experiments, and discusses principles of reliable and ethical research. Next, the course presents key experimental topics, including individual decision-making under risk and uncertainty, bargaining and coordination games, public goods and cooperation dilemmas, and market experiments. The last two lectures will be reserved for going through a mock exam and a Q & A session.
Please note: the lectures start at 12:00 sharp (not 12:15). The exercise sessions start at 14:00 sharp.
In meeting 3, there will be 2 lectures. During exercise sessions in meetings 4-9, students will present papers from the Articles for presentations list below. In meetings 10-11, students will present a treatment extension to the paper they have presented earlier.
| Meeting | Lecture | Exercise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 - 13:30 | 14:00 - 15:30 | ||
| 1 | April 9 | Introduction to experiments | |
| 2 | April 16 | Design basics I | Class experiment; basic game theoretic concepts |
| 3 | Wednesday, April 22 | Design basics II | |
| 4 | April 30 | Lab vs. field experiments | Presentations: - |
| 5 | May 7 | CANCELLED-->Good research methods & ethics | Presentations: Marko & Orhan: 3 |
| 6 | May 21 | Individual choice & risk experiments | Presentations: Adish, Austin & Jeevan: 1; Vaibhavi: 2 |
| 7 | May 28 | Bargaining & coordination experiments | Presentations: Bright & Naa: 15; Halima & Marvin: 12 |
| 8 | June 11 | Public good & cooperation experiments | Presentations: Esther & Ruth: 14; Haftom & Mahammad: 4 |
| 9 | June 18 | Market experiments | Presentations: Emmanuel & Johnson: 11; Bertina & George: 8; Arya: 5 |
| 10 | June 25 | Extra treatment presentations | Extra treatment presentations |
| 11 | July 2 | Going through a mock exam | -- |
| 12 | July 9 | Q & A | TBD |
Participants should have a solid background and interest in empirical work and statistics, with (at least) basic knowledge of the linear regression model (OLS) and basic notions of game theory. Grading will be based on:
The retake exam is scheduled on October 23. It will be an on-site exam.
The readings are compulsory, should be done before the lecture.
Lectures 2 and 3
Lecture 4
Note: Some of the articles have not yet been published (those with a 'WP' - working paper or discussion paper - in the file name). These seem longer, but aren't necessarily so: they also include appendices and might use double instead of single spacing.