Print Syllabus

Syllabus

NA0185 Experimental methods for economics and business studies, 7.5 Credits

Experimentella metoder i ekonomi

Subjects

Economics Business Administration Economics Business Administration

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	7.5	0101

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior 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:

1. 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

2. Principles of experiments – Validity, control and limits.

3. Choice of experimental design – Subjects, repetition, matching, payment.

4. Programming a computerized experiment using zTree

5. Conducting experiments – Instructions, testing, recruiting, sessions.

6. Measuring techniques – Eliciting beliefs, risk attitudes, social preferences.

7. 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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a 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