Experimental approaches for social research
Date:
08/11/2016
Organised by:
The University of Edinburgh
Presenter:
Daniel Nettle, Professor of Behavioural Science at Newcastle University & Gillian Pepper, Research Associate in Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University
Level:
Intermediate (some prior knowledge)
Contact:
Laura Marshall
0131 651 3001
L.marshall@ed.ac.uk
Map:
View in Google Maps (NE1 7RU)
Venue:
Newcastle University, Research Beehive, Old Library Building,Newcastle
Description:
Social questions are not traditionally studied using experimental methods; indeed, the lack of prominence given to the experimental method is one of the features often said to distinguish social science from the biological or physical sciences. However, there are approaches available to the social scientist that can fairly be described as experimental. These include the economic games of experimental economics, to the ‘experiments in the field’ of experimental ethnography, the natural experiments that have high evidential value in public health, and large randomized controlled trials increasingly used in public policy and development economics. This one-day course explores these various different types of experiment. It emphasises the practical and creative aspects of designing experiments, and the ethical and interpretative issues they throw up. It will draw examples from a wide range of research areas. The aim is to give participants a clear sense of what kinds of experimental options they might have, and how they could devise novel experimental approaches of their own, even at the small scale and with modest resources. Each session of the course will mix presentations, group discussions, and practical exercises
Cost:
£30 per day for UK/EU registered students
• £60 per day for staff at UK/EU academic institutions, UK/EU Research Councils researchers, UK/EU public sector staff and staff at UK/EU registered charity organisations and recognised UK/EU research institutions.
• £220 per day for all other participants
Website and registration:
Region:
North East
Keywords:
Experimental Research , Randomized Control Trials (RCT), Ethnographic Research, Behavioural Research, Multi-strategy research, Research Ethics
Related publications and presentations:
Experimental Research
Randomized Control Trials (RCT)
Ethnographic Research
Behavioural Research
Multi-strategy research
Research Ethics