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Unit information: Policy Experiments in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

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
Pre-requisites

ECONM1010 Microeconomics;

ECONM1022 Econometrics

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Economics
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

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 to evaluate policy and to test economic theory (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 (in outline form) 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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Students will understand the benefits – and some limitations of – evaluating policy with field experiments

2. They will understand key elements in the practical design and implementation of field experiments designed to evaluate policy and test economic theory.

3. They will be able to apply key concepts to a practical policy setting

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions such as online teaching for large and small group, face-to-face small group classes (where possible) and interactive learning activities

Assessment Information

Coursework (100%) Assesses ILOs 1-3

Resources

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.

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