On the Generalizability of Experimental Results in Economics: With a Response to Commentors

Arbeitspapier

Economists are increasingly turning to the experimental method as a means to estimate causal effects. By using randomization to identify key treatment effects, theories previously viewed as untestable are now scrutinized, efficacy of public policies are now more easily verified, and stakeholders can swiftly add empirical evidence to aid their decision-making. This study provides an overview of experimental methods in economics, with a special focus on developing an economic theory of generalizability. Given that field experiments are in their infancy, our secondary focus pertains to a discussion of the various parameters that they identify, and how they add to scientific knowledge. We conclude that until we conduct more field experiments that build a bridge between the lab and the naturally-occurring settings of interest we cannot begin to make strong conclusions empirically on the crucial question of generalizability from the lab to the field.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 4543

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Design of Experiments: General ; Design of Experiments: Laboratory, Individual ; Field Experiments
• Subject: lab and field experiments ; generalizability ; Wirtschaftswissenschaft ; Kausalanalyse ; Wissenschaftliche Methode ; Test ; Feldforschung

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Al-Ubaydli, Omar ; List, John A.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/89625
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET