Course type
IWH-DPE Elective Course (Macro & Productivity, Labour & Behaviour Topic Tracks)
Lecturers
Dr Müge Süer (IWH)
Summary
This course introduces experimental methods in economics, following John List’s recent book Experimental Economics. We will discuss how to design, implement, and evaluate experiments in both laboratory and field settings. Students will learn to critically read experimental papers, understand the strengths and limitations of different designs, and connect theory to practice. The course combines conceptual discussion with hands-on exercises and concludes with students developing their own experimental design.
Schedule
17.12.2025, 10:30-12:00, IWH, Leipziger Str. 100, 3rd floor, Conference Room
14.01.2026, 10:30-12:00, IWH, Leipziger Str. 100, 3rd floor, Conference Room
28.01.2026, 10:30-12:00, IWH, Leipziger Str. 100, 3rd floor, Conference Room
11.02.2026, 10:30-12:00, IWH, Leipziger Str. 100, 3rd floor, Conference Room
Content
- Foundations of Experimental Economics
- Reading Experiments Critically: Validity and Inference in Experiments
- Beyond Averages: Heterogeneity and Mechanisms
- Time, Repetition, and Design Considerations
Course requirements
Attendance at all lectures is mandatory and a prerequisite to take the exam.
The final exam will be a short paper in which each student develops and presents an original experimental design. The paper should clearly state a research question, situate it within the relevant literature, outline the proposed design (including treatment, control, and measurement strategy), and reflect on relevant issues based on the topics discussed in the course.
Required Reading
List, J. A. List (2026). Experimental Economics. The University of Chicago Press.
Registration
Please register for the course until November 30, 2025 by sending an e-mail to cgde@iwh-halle.de.