Experimental Economics and Data Analysis

This topic covers the methodology of experimental economics, which applies controlled experiments to test economic theories and understand decision-making. It discusses the use of treatment and control groups, randomization, and cash incentives to mimic real-world behavior, as exemplified by the Nobel Prize-winning work of Duflo et al. in poverty alleviation. The topic also reviews different types of economic data (time series, cross-sectional, panel) used for empirical analysis. For Zambian tertiary students in economics, research methods, or health policy, this knowledge is vital for designing robust studies, critically evaluating evidence, and applying empirical methods to answer policy questions, a key skill for both examinations and professional research roles.