Summer School - Programming Experiments
paul schaefer
2024 Summer School - Implementing Experimental Designs: Best Practices for Software Programming
Date:
Tuesday 9 (morning) - Thursday 11 (lunchtime) July 2024
Venue:
Brookfield, University of Leicester School of Business
About the Summer School:
This two-and-a-half-day summer school guides junior experimental economics researchers in the best practices for translating experimental design ideas into implementable experiments, whether in the laboratory or online. In contrast to courses that focus on software packages (such as oTree or z-Tree courses), this course teaches you how to create a program that is efficient, reliable, and enables collaboration, adaptability, and reproducibility. The course is taught by Ted Turocy (University of East Anglia) and Boon Han Koh (University of Exeter).
On the first day of the course, we will introduce a conceptual framework for implementing experimental designs. This includes defining the different states of an experiment and developing storyboards and wireframes for the information screens, input screens, and calculations/output screens.
On the second day, we will demonstrate how to translate the designs to software, including defining groups and matchings, sequential decision-making, multiple decision-making periods, randomization devices, and systematically recording variables for logging and reproducibility.
In the course's final part, we will briefly introduce key technologies used in producing professional-looking applications, including webpage generation via templates, CSS and Bootstrap, and JavaScript and jQuery.
Throughout, we will emphasize the use of git and GitHub for version control and collaboration and the management of Python virtual environments for reproducibility and portability. This is, therefore, not just another oTree course! By the end of the course, you will acquire skills that are transferrable to other platforms or technologies.
Applying for a place in the Summer School:
Applicants should complete the application form available here and send us an up-to-date CV (maximum 3 pages) and a 1-page (maximum) motivation letter (further instructions in the form). Upon receiving their acceptance, applicants will be invited to register themselves and make the relevant payments.
We will prioritize applications from those who are currently PhD students or post-docs. In the event capacity permits we may be able to accommodate those who currently hold professional or faculty positions. If you are in the latter category, contact us (ulsb....@le.ac.uk) to register your interest.
Fees:
Early Registration:
- PhD students - £70.00
- Early career researchers - £120.00
For early registrations, optional bed and breakfast accommodation at the University's Conference Centre, College Court, is available at the rate of £40.00 per night.
Standard Registration:
- PhD students - £98.00
- Early career researchers - £148.00