AØKK08141U Summer School Seminar 2018: Experiments in Economics CANCELED
Over the past decades, experimental techniques have become an integral part of modern empirical economics. The aim of the seminar is to familiarize students with fundamental results and methods in experimental economics. In particular, the course will highlight key aspects in designing laboratory or field experiments (RCTs) and basic elements of behavioral outcome evaluations. After studying the main advantages and limitations of experiments, students will learn how to design an economic experiment and apply experimental techniques to a selected research question. Possible topics include experimental evaluations of policy interventions in health, education, public finance, or labor economics, experimental analyses of charitable giving, saving and consumer behavior, etc.
Student projects can take various forms:
One possibility is to replicate and extend the empirical analysis of a published article, using the article’s dataset or by designing a replication study.
Another possibility is to develop a design for an own lab or field experiment. This includes identifying a research question, deriving theoretical hypothesis, describing the experimental design and strategy to analyze the empirical outcomes, and ideally collect first pilot data.
Both project formats are an ideal preparation for subsequently conducting an empirical investigation for a MSc thesis.
Students are allowed (and encouraged) to work in groups of two.
Examples of student projects from previous semesters:
Analyzing Ethnic Biases in the Shared Flat Market
Stereotypes, Trust, and Reputation: An Experiment with Street Vendors
Exposing Free-Riders in Public Goods Games
Not Only Labor Leads to Love: A Re-analysis of the IKEA Effect
The Power of Apologies: a Field Experiment on Ebay
Reference points and voluntary payments
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
review recent findings in experimental economics
Skills:
know different experimental techniques and be able to use them in designing an experiment in the lab or field
Competencies:
apply experimental methods to answer a selected question in economics or public policy
The following surveys give an introduction to topics and methods of the seminar. Further references will be provided in the beginning of the course.
Croson, R. and S. Gächter (2010): “The science of experimental economics”, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 73 (1), 122-131 à good first introduction
Duflo, E., R. Glennerster, and M. Kremer (2008), Using Randomization in Development Economics Research: A Toolkit, in: P.Schultz and J.A. Strauss (Eds.), Handbook of Development Economics, Elsevier, Ed.1, Vol. 4(5). à excellent overview article on experimental methodology for field experiments (with a focus on development economics)
Roth, A.E. (1995). Introduction to Experimental Economics. In Kagel, J.H. and Roth, A.E. (eds.) Handbook of Experimental Economics. Princeton University Press. Chapter 1. à classic, but still very good introduction to experimental economics
There will also be a limited number of topics for which I can provide a suitable dataset (more info later).
If students are interested in experiments with a Behavioral Economics focus, it is recommended that they have followed the course “Foundations of Behavioral Economics” before or in parallel to the seminar.
Students will also benefit from previous or concurrent attendance of the Summer School on “Behavioral and Experimental Economics”.
Before the session a "so-finalized-as-possible"-draft of the paper must be uploaded in Absalon. After the presentations, the student submit an edited version of the paper in the Digital Exam portal as the final exam paper. The aim is that students use the presentation sessions as an opportunity to receive and use the constructive feedback to improve the paper.
CANCELED.
• Kick-off meeting: June 7 and 8, 2018 9.00-17.00
• Deadline project description (commitment paper): June 22, 2018 at 10am.
• Progress meeting: June 29 (tbc).
• Deadline of pre-paper uploaded to Absalon : August 15
• Workshop of oral presentations: August 23-24, 9-18h (tbc)
- Category
- Hours
- Project work
- 186
- Seminar
- 20
- Total
- 206
for enrolled students. More information about registration, schedule, rules, curricula etc. can be found at the intranet for Master students (UK) and Master students (DK).
More information about seminars is available at the intranet for Seminars (UK) and Seminars (øvelser) (DK).
Read about the study programme and curricula at MSc in Economics
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination- a seminar paper in English that meets the formal requirements for written papers stated in the curriculum and at KUNet for seminars.
_____ - Exam registration requirements
Attendance in all activities at the seminar as stated in the formal requrements in the Curriculum and at the KUnet for seminars (UK) and Kunet for seminars (DK) is required to participate in the exam.
_____
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
_____
- Exam period
Deadline for uploading the final seminar paper to DE:
August 31, 2018 at 10 a.m.CANCELEDExam information:
For enrolled students more information about examination, rules, exam schedule etc. is available at the intranet for master students (UK) and master students (DK)
_____
- Re-exam
The reexam is a written paper as stated in the Master curriculum
Registration period for reexam: September 2018.Deadline handing in the reexam paper: February 1, 2019Exam information:
For enrolled students more information about re-examination, rules, re-exam schedule etc. is available at masterstudents (UK) and masterstudents (DK)
Criteria for exam assesment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the seminar and the objectives stated in the Curriculum.
To receive the top grade, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
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Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- AØKK08141U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Summer
The seminar has been canceled April 17, 2018 due to too less registered
- Schedule
- and venue:
Go to "Remarks"
Exam and re-sits: Go to "Exam" - Study board
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Course Coordinators
- Steffen Altmann (15-7b7c6d6e6e6d763669747c75697676486d6b777636737d366c73)