Course Description
Provides an advanced introduction to the development, implementation, and analysis of surveys and experiments to collect primary data for economic research and test economic theory. The theory, methods, and econometrics of experiments will be covered, with attention to recent issues in the behavioral and experimental economics literature.
Athena Title
Survey Des Experimental Econ
Prerequisite
AAEC 6580-6580L
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students in this course will gain the foundation and experience needed to effectively design, administer, and analyze economic surveys and experiments. As part of the course, students will gain first-hand experience with experimental research. Students will develop a testable research question, design an appropriate experimental protocol, pre-test their experiment design, conduct preliminary analysis, and deliver recommendations for experiment redesign. Further, students will receive a broad overview of critical issues in the behavioral and experimental economics literature that are pertinent to consider when conducting primary data collection and testing economic theory.
Topical Outline
Module 1 - Introduction to surveys and experiments for economic research Topics covered in this module will include an overview of the breadth of different approaches to collecting primary data for economic research, including (1) conventional laboratory experiments, (2) artefactual field experiments, (3) framed field experiments, (4) natural field experiments, and (5) randomized control trials. Literature and examples of well-designed and poorly-designed experiments will be covered. Experiment and human subject ethics will be discussed as well as the history leading to the modern Institutional Review Board process for conducting human subject research. Module 2 - Qualitative and Quantitative Issues in Designing Surveys and Experiments Topics covered in this module will include general issues relevant to the design of surveys and experiments, including sample size, sample weighting, identification, and confound control. Module 3 - Survey and Experimental Methods to Elicit Homegrown Values This module will be the bulk of the course material and will cover four key value elicitation methods: (1) survey methods, (2) choice experiments and conjoint analysis, (3) experimental auctions, and (4) contingent valuation. For each value elicitation method, four components will be covered: (1) theoretical foundations, (2) methodological approach, (3) data analysis, and (4) contemporary issues. Module 4 - Experiments to Measure Individual and Social Preferences and Behavior This module will cover a broad range of experimental methods to elicit individual and social preferences and behavior, including time and risk preferences, subjective beliefs, altruism, bargaining power, information updating, other regarding behavior, and heuristics.