The experimental method is nowadays considered as an important tool in the typical economist’s toolbox. It provides a method to test theoretical predictions, to explore human behavior in specific economic environments, to help design institutions, to advice on policy and to search for patterns and regularities. The workshop deals with the methodological, historical and practical aspects of Experimental Economics, illustrated by examples and applications taken from the literature.
Articles, handouts, and other material will be made available by the lecturers.
Obiettivi Formativi
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the set of basic tools which are necessary to understand the existing experimental literature, assess the strengths and weaknesses of an experimental paper.
Students will also have acquired the minimal necessary skills to address the various steps of the design and organization of an experiment, such as:
- organize a bibliographic review to motivate an original idea for an experiment;
- design an actual experiment;
- write precise instructions for an experiment;
- program an experiment – (the emphasis of the workshop is not about coding, but support will be provided to those that will try to engage in this activity);
- run an experiment in the lab (or online);
- analyze the data of an experiment (again, the workshop is not about statistics/econometrics, but support will be provided to those that will try to engage in this activity).
- comment the outcome of an experiment.
Prerequisiti
Principles of Microeconomics and Game Theory. Basic mathematics-statistics-econometrics.
Metodi Didattici
Lectures, class experiments, class discussion, lab sessions.
Altre Informazioni
Class attendance is mandatory.
More details abput the course on the Moodle page at e-l.unifi.it.
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
Class participation, homework and
design of an experimental project