Field experiments for social and public policy

This unit introduces you to core topics and concepts in the use of randomised controlled trials (RCT) in social sciences. In the first part of the unit, you will be introduced to the methodology of RCTs. You will learn how to conceive of the effects of treatments in the potential outcome framework; methods for assigning treatment including clustered and blocked random assignment; why randomisation facilitates unbiased estimation of treatment effects; and how to improve the power of experimental designs.

The second part of the unit covers how to interpret results from RCTs. You will read experimental studies to discuss their designs and conclusions. Studies address questions such as educational interventions in developing countries, racial or caste discrimination; the effectiveness of information campaigns; Intrinsic motivation and fairness, corruption, incentives, gender differences, and the introduction of new technologies. On completion of the unit you will become not only sophisticated consumers of experimental research but you will also have received training to conduct your own randomised control trials.