In recent years there has been a surge in the use of experiments, both survey and field, in political science. This has resulted in substantial advances in experimental research within political science. This course will explore these advances by highlighting exceptional instances of experimental research. By evaluating and understanding the very best of cutting-edge, experimental research, students will learn how to design smart and effective survey, natural, and field experiments from the ground up. The focus of this course will be on the intersection of design and implementation.
When are experiments the right tool for answering research questions and how can experiments be designed to test theories? How do we handle the many unexpected challenges that emerge in experimental implementation?