Why Economists Should Conduct Field Experiments and 14 Tips for Pulling One Off

摘要

The experimental approach has been a cornerstone of the scientific method for centuries. In one classic 1882 example, Louis Pasteur designated half of a group of 50 sheep as controls and vaccinated the other half. All animals then received a lethal dose of anthrax. Two days after inoculation, every one of the 25 control sheep were dead whereas the 25 vaccinated sheep were alive and well!