1. Experience from a Course in Game Theory: Pre and Post-Class Problem Sets as a Didactic Device

This is a revised version of my paper with the same title published in Games and Economic Behavior, 28 (1999), 155-170. The paper summarizes my experience in teaching an undergraduate course in game theory in 1998 and in 1999. Students were required to submit two types of problem sets:pre-class problem sets, which served as experiments, and post-class problem sets, which require the students to study and apply the solution concepts taught in the course. The sharp distinction between the two types of problem sets emphasizes the limited relevance of game theory as a tool for making predictions and giving advice. The paper summarizes the results of 43 experiments which were conducted during the course. It is argued that the crude experimental methods produced results which are not substantially different from those obtained at much higher cost using stricter experimental methods. [Details...]

2. Using Experiments in the Classroom

A rewarding aspect of using experimental techniques in my research is that classroom versions of these experiments are very effective as teaching tools. The use of such classroom games is gaining attention and becoming more widespread. In this article I present some arguments for using classroom games and some suggestions on how to run them. [Details...]

3. WWW Experiments for Economists, a Technical Introduction

In this document we sketch some techniques that are useful when developing www moderated experiments. We first discuss alterative solutions and then describe some basic techniques for www experiments. Several examples and a section with useful links conclude. [Details...]

4. Mouselab

The MOUSELAB program can be used to present the instructions for an experiment, present decision problems using one of four general types of screens or "schemas," and automatically record what information was acquired, the duration of the acquisition, search order, and the final judgment or choice. Response times are recorded to an accuracy of 1/60th of a second. In addition to MOUSELAB, the decision laboratory software includes a program called BISECT that can be used in the analysis and reduction of the data generated from the process tracing studies. A final set of programs allow the randomization and counterbalancing of MOUSELAB input files. The programs that make up the mouse decision laboratory software are coded in Microsoft Pascal, Version 4.0, with some of the auxiliary programs for data analysis written in Borland's Turbo Pascal. [Details...]

5. z-Tree

z-Tree (Zurich Toolbox for Readymade Economic Experiments) is a software for experimental economics. This software package allows to develop and to carry out economic experiments. In this program features that are needed in most experiments are generally defined. Among them are the communication between the computers, data saving, time display, profit calculation and tools for screen layout. A further strength of the program lies in the versatility: It can be used for a wide range of possible experiments such as public good experiments, structured bargaining experiments or markets - including double auctions and Dutch auctions. Moreover, experiments can easily be composed and combined. [Details...]