View Specification DocumentExperimental Economics ECON5159
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: Adam Smith Business School
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
Experimental Economics offers a hands-on introduction to the design, implementation, and analysis of experiments in economics. Students will master technical and practical aspects of experimental design The course will cover foundational principles of experimental design and practical aspects of running experiments, covering topics such as formulating logic models, randomization, conducting power calculations, securing funding, obtaining ethics approvals, and conducting surveys.
Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of research, ranging from the landmark studies that shaped the field to the most innovative, cutting-edge work at the frontier. The course enables students to sharpen their analytical skills and fosters creativity, equipping them with tools to design their own experiments. Students will also refine their persuasive writing skills by crafting a grant proposal, giving them valuable experience in communicating research ideas with different stakeholders. By connecting theory with practice, the course prepares students for both academic research and professional careers.
Timetable
5 x 2-hour lectures on campus
5 x 2-hour tutorials
Requirements of Entry
Students must be registered on one of the associated programmes listed in this course specification. Students must have a foundation in causal methods and inference.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
1. Set Exercise; Individual; 2 pages; 40%; ILOs 1-2.
2. Report; Individual; 8 pages; 60%; ILOs 3.
Course Aims
This course aims to:
1. Provide students with an understanding of the foundational principles of experimental design as well as the role of experiments in generating causal evidence, and informing policy decisions.
2. Develop students' ability to critically assess the strengths and limitations of experimental designs, in terms of identification challenges, external validity, and ethical considerations.
3. Equip students with the methodological tools and practical skills to design field and lab experiments, linking theoretical frameworks to research applications.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Analyse key experimental concepts and methods discussed in state-of-the-art research articles in the field.
2. Critically evaluate experimental designs, identifying strengths and limitations.
3. Develop practical skills to design experiments by formulating a grant proposal.