EC387-6-AU-CO:
Experimental Methods in Economics
2023/24
Economics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
07 November 2023
Requisites for this module
EC202
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C814 Psychology with Economics,
BSC C815 Psychology with Economics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C816 Psychology with Economics (Including Placement Year),
BSC C817 Psychology with Economics (Including Foundation Year),
BA C841 Economics with Psychology,
BA C851 Economics with Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BA C861 Economics with Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C148 Economics with Psychology,
BSC C149 Economics with Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C158 Economics with Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C168 Economics with Psychology (Including Placement Year)
Experimental economics has become a very popular method to address questions that are hard to answer with field data. Laboratory experiments are used to investigate individual choice behaviour such as giving for charities, or behaviour in strategic interactions such as financial markets and collective decision making. The experiments are also used to analyse firm behaviour and assess policies such as anti-trust legislation or even monetary policy.
In this module, we will critically evaluate whether these experimental methods provide answers for policy makers and private sector decision makers.
The aims of this module are:
- To read and discuss studies asking questions like:
- Whether and in which contexts lab experiments are externally valid, i.e., whether the conclusions reached in the lab apply also in 'the real world'.
- Whether experimenter demand effects---i.e., the goals and views of the researcher---can bias results.
- Whether the knowledge of being under investigation alters the behaviour of subjects (the "Hawthorne effect").
- To what degree framing instructions in the experiment can alter the results.
- How experimental economics differs from the more traditional field of experimental psychology.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Judge whether an experimental study is useful in solving a real world problem (such as which policy to choose) and will be able to identify the shortcomings in the method.
- Improve their presentation skills and their abilities to engage in a critical discussion.
Most of the module will be held as a seminar. The module begins with a general lecture introduction to the topic in the first two weeks by the lecturer, followed by a lab session where students participate in an economic experiment as subjects. After week three, we will meet every week to discuss one or two studies about the lab-experimental method. One or two students will present a summary of a paper, which will then be discussed in the group. The lecturer leads the discussion and moderates.
The module will be delivered via:
- Lectures: 6 hours
- Seminars: 14 hours
Lectures and Seminars may use the Essex Lab as a tool.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Presentation |
|
35% |
| Coursework |
Class Participation |
|
5% |
| Coursework |
Assignment |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Daniel Friedman, email: df20392@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nikhil Masters, email: n.masters@essex.ac.uk.
Lectures: Dr Daniel Friedman & Dr Nikhil Masters
For further information please send an e-mail message to fineco@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Mr Georgios Papadopoulos
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Economics
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.