Experimental Economics

Module code: EC3099

Causal identification is the gold standard of empirical economic research. Such identification cannot always happen with naturally occurring data but controlled experiments can impose exogenous variation helping identification. In fact, private companies (like Amazon, Google), charities and governments have started to use experimental economic techniques to evaluate and implement new policies.

This module is divided in three parts. The first part serves as an overview and introduces students to the aims and scope of experimental economics as well as the tools used in any experimental design (Topics 1-3). The second part provides a more detailed outline of some of the main economic topics in which experimental economics is routinely used (Topics 4-8). The last part includes (Topics 9-10) new approaches to experimental economics and examples of interventions.