Experimental methods for economics and business studies
The course is implemented by lectures, exercises and a mandatory project-based group work.
The course include the following parts:
- Introduction: What are economic and business experiments and why use them?
a) Market and game theory experiments
b) Decision theory experiments
c) Field and survey experiments
Principles of experiments – Validity, control and limits.
Choice of experimental design – Subjects, repetition, matching, payment.
Programming a computerized experiment using zTree
Conducting experiments – Instructions, testing, recruiting, sessions.
Measuring techniques – Eliciting beliefs, risk attitudes, social preferences.
Evaluating experimental data – A short overview
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Here you find important information that will be useful before arriving to Sweden and while you are a student. https://student.slu.se/en/studies/new-student/check-list/ • You need to have a student account in order to access Ladok Student at SLU and to sign up for exams. • You must be admitted and registered to attend the course. Unregistered students may NOT stay on the premises, for reasons of insurance. • You have to register yourself via Ladok Student. The self-registration is open 5 workdays before the start of the course and 3 days after. If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you cannot register online and must contact the course leader who decides if you can still register. Only registered students can participate in the course and have access to, for example, Canvas. • If you want to receive text messages with updates for the course, for example in case of cancelled lectures or room changes, please check that the correct mobile number is in Ladok Student. • During the second week of the course there will be a mandatory control of attendance. If you don´t participate in the control you risk losing your place on the course. • If you need special support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course, so that special arrangements can be made for example at the examination. Certificates from Nais shall be displayed every time. https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/ • If you cancel the course, you should immediately notify the course leader via email, who in turn informs the educational administration to register a course break in Ladok. • You are automatically registered for the ordinary exams in Ladok Student. You can find your anonymous code in Ladok Student. Please note that you still have to register yourself for the re-exam in Ladok Student. This applies only to exams and re-exams within the department of economics. • For corrected exams – contact ekon-adm@slu.se If you have any questions, please contact the administration by emailing ekon-adm@slu.se
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
NA0185-20123 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for NA0185
Academic year 2023/2024
Experimental methods for economics and business studies (NA0185-20181)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Experimental methods for economics and business studies (NA0185-20094)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Experimental methods for economics and business studies (NA0185-20128)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2019/2020
Experimental methods for economics and business studies (NA0185-20090)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
NA0185 Experimental methods for economics and business studies, 7.5 Credits
Experimentella metoder i ekonomiSubjects
Economics Business Administration Economics Business AdministrationEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 180 credits, including 90 credits within business administration or economics. 15 credits microeconomics must also be included as well as 15 credits statistics or 5 credits mathematics and 5 credits statistics. Knowledge equivalent to English 6.Objectives
This course is an introduction to experimental methods in economics and business studies, its methods, and some of the recent applications. In particular, the course illustrates how experiments can be used to solve many of the identification problems present in non-experimental data. An integral part of the course is participation in numerous experiments to acquire hands on experience.
After succesful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Prepare, programming, conduct and evaluate an experiment in economics and business studies.
Content
The course is implemented by lectures, exercises and a mandatory project-based group work.
The course include the following parts:
- Introduction: What are economic and business experiments and why use them?
a) Market and game theory experiments
b) Decision theory experiments
c) Field and survey experiments
Principles of experiments – Validity, control and limits.
Choice of experimental design – Subjects, repetition, matching, payment.
Programming a computerized experiment using zTree
Conducting experiments – Instructions, testing, recruiting, sessions.
Measuring techniques – Eliciting beliefs, risk attitudes, social preferences.
Evaluating experimental data – A short overview
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed exam.
Passed project work.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The specific entry requirements can also be fulfilled through four years of completed studies at the Forest Science programme with specialization in business administration.Entry requirements can also be met by students who are admitted to the agricultural programme and have the knowledge equivalent to 180 credits at undergraduate level out of which at least 60 credits in business administration or economics, and have taken (and been approved) the FÖ0449 (Företagsbeslut & mikroekonomi) och FÖ0373 (Lantbruksekonomi och driftsplanering) or NA0179 (Econometrics and programming). Level of English equivalent to upper secondary school English.
Students admitted autumn 2015 or earlier: the requirement of FÖ0449 can be replaced by the course FÖ0395 and the requirement of NA0179 can be replaced by the course NA0161.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading criteria are discussed in the first meeting.
Litterature list
- Experimental Economics Författare: Jacquemet, Nicolas, and Olivier l'Haridon Kommentar: Primary text which covers all important aspects of the course. Important complementary material will be provided in Canvas (slides, videos, etc.), but the book is highly recommended for self-study.
- Experimental methods: A primer for economists Författare: Friedman and Sunder Kommentar: Classical textbook. Still covers important aspects of the course. But some aspects are not comprehensively covered (e.g., behavioral economics).
- Behavioral game theory: Experiments in strategic interaction Författare: Colin Camerer Kommentar: Excellently written book, covering several important aspects of the course.
- Treating the field as a lab Författare: Angelino Viceisza [Treating the field as a lab ] (https://www.ifpri.org/publication/treating-field-lab) Kommentar: Excellent resource if you are interested in policy-oriented experiments with farmers (with a focus on development).