Introduction to Experimental Research
Experiments are an important scientific method widely used in research. The course provides an overview about experiments as a methodological approach to generate knowledge in the field of business economics. Hereby, it offers a foundational understanding of experimental economics for conducting research and attending advanced courses using the experimental method. The purpose of this course is twofold. First, it offers a theoretical introduction to the experimental research and its limitations. Hence, some sessions will provide a profound understanding of the experimental method, e.g., how experiments are conducted and used in business economics. Second, the course will introduce students to some basic methods of statistical analysis such as the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or Linear Regression Analysis. Through this, students gain insight into how collected data of experiments can be analyzed and how results are interpreted. Based on the lecture, the tutorial will deepen the practical understanding of analyzing data by introducing students to the software Stata.
The content of the course includes:
- Basics of statistical software
- Descriptive Statistics
- Hypothesis testing
- Mean comparisons, analysis of variance, regression techniques
- Basics of laboratory and field experiments
- Variants of data collection with experiments
Learning Objectives
- Critical reflection on the possibilities and limitations of experimental behavioral research
- Understanding of different experimental research designs
- Repetition and consolidation of basic knowledge in descriptive statistics and inference
- Independent preparation and analysis of data using statistical software
Language
The language of instruction is English.
Timeframe and Credits
Teaching: Lecture (weekly) + Exercise (weekly)
Credit points: 5
Credit can be awarded for the following study programs:
- Master Business Information Systems
- Master Business Studies
- Master Economics: Data Science and Policy
- Master Human Resources Management
Assessment
Exam (100%)
Registration
Please register for this course by enrolling into the respective course in Stud.IP. There you will also find further details, such as the exact schedule.
Contact
For questions concerning this course, you may contact Simon Merz.