| Unit name | Policy Experiments |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0037 |
| Credit points | 15 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Burgess |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
ECONM1010 Microeconomics; ECONM1022 Econometrics |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will provide an introduction to the increasingly important area of using field experiments to evaluate policy and to test economic theory.
The unit will review the benefits and potential limitations of using field experiments (compared to other evaluation tools used by economists). It will introduce students to key issues in the design and implementation of field experiments (for example, different ways of randomizing, determining appropriate sample sizes).
Students will see many practical examples of field experiments in different fields (for example, Labour Economics, Development Economics, Education). Students will also be asked to design their own field study in order to think through issues from first-hand perspective.
The unit will consider field experiments in developing and developed country contexts.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of large and small group classes, supported by online resources
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Regular classes solving exercises or presenting outline plans for the coursework
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework, approx. 2000 words. Worth 100% of unit mark. Assesses ILOs 1-3.
When assessment does not go to plan
Coursework, approx. 2000 words. Assesses ILOs 1-3.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0037).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
