The role of experiments for the development of economic theories

Klaus Schmidt ()

Munich Reprints in Economics from University of Munich, Department of Economics

Abstract: Economic experiments interact with economic theories in various ways. First of all they are used to test economic theories. However, they can neither confirm nor falsify them in a strict sense. They rather inform us about the range of applicability, the robustness and the predictive power of a theory. Furthermore, economic experiments discover and isolate phenomena and challenge economic theorists to explain them. Finally, many economic experiments are material models. They are used to analyze and predict how changes in the environment affect economic outcomes. However, they cannot offer an explanation for what we observe. This has to be provided by economic theory.

Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

Published in Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik Suppl. 1 10(2009): pp. 14-30

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Role of Experiments for the Development of Economic Theories (2009)
Working Paper: The Role of Experiments for the Development of Economic Theories (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:lmu:muenar:19767

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