Implementing theoretical models in the laboratory, and what this can and cannot achieve

Stefania Sitzia and Robert Sugden
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Stefania Sitzia: School of Economics and CBESS, University of East Anglia

Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Science (CBESS) from School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Abstract: We investigate the methodology used in a significant genre of experimental economics, in which experiments are designed to test theoretical models by implementing them in the laboratory. Using two case studies, we argue that such an experiment is a test, not of what the model says about its target domain, but of generic theoretical components used in the model. The properties that make a model interesting as a putative explanation of phenomena in its target domain are not necessarily appropriate for such tests. We consider how this research strategy has been legitimised within the community of experimental economists.

Keywords: Experiments; models; methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B41 C90 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-02-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Journal Article: Implementing theoretical models in the laboratory, and what this can and cannot achieve (2011)
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