LFU:online

Students will be introduced to the basics of behavioral economics research, with a focus on methods, models, and major issues debated in the field. Course participants will acquire the ability to critically discuss experimental research in the behavioral sciences, and to design and implement controlled economic experiments both in the laboratory and in the field.

Experiments are a useful tool to test the validity of economic theories, to detect departures from theoretical predictions and explore the cause of a theory's failure, and to identify behavioral patterns and empirical regularities useful to build new theories. This course focuses on the methodological basics of and common practices in designing and implementingexperiments in the field and in the laboratory. In particular, the course will provide an introduction to epistemology (theory of knowledge) and a thorough discussion of the principles of experimentation (e.g., direct and indirect control, induced value theory, design characteristics, etc.).

Lectures, group discussions, hands-on exercises.

Written exam, group project, presentation.

Will be announced in due time.