The Handbook of Experimental Economics [Hardcover]

John Henry Kagel (Author), Alvin E. Roth (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1995 | ISBN-10: 069104290X | ISBN-13: 978-0691042909

The eight essays in this book present a comprehensive critical survey of the results and methods of laboratory experiments in economics. The first chapter provides an introduction to experimental economics as a whole, with the remaining chapters providing surveys by leading practitioners in areas of economics that have seen a concentration of experiments: public goods, coordination problems, bargaining, industrial organization, asset markets, auctions, and individual decision making. The contributors to the volume include Colin Camerer, Charles A. Holt, John H. Kagel, John O. Ledyard, Jack Ochs, Alvin E. Roth, and Shyam Sunder."This book is impressive for the clarity, depth, and informativeness of its surveys. The focus on series of experiments is very instructive.... One can learn a lot from the issues debated, the methodological digressions, and the many suggestions for further research.... This is a great book that is wholeheartedly recommended."--F. van Winden, The Journal of Economics"The book provides not only a comprehensive and deep review of major areas of experimental research, but it is also exceptionally intellectually stimulating and insightful for theoretical economists as well as those who are interested in more immediate policy issues." --Katerina Sherstyuk, Economic Record

Editorial Reviews

Review

A critical review and analysis of the foundations of laboratory experiments in economics, and much more. . . . Indeed, this handbook serves as a thoughtful agenda for future researchers. . . .

From the Back Cover

"I wish every economist and economics graduate student would read this book. Those who are considering running experiments should be forced to; this is a bible in how to run good experiments. Every chapter is amazingly comprehensive and has been written by a true expert in the field. But economists who would never dream about running an experiment can benefit from reading this just as much. The beauty of experiments is that they force theorists to think carefully about their theories."--Richard Thaler, Cornell University

"This Handbook surveys one of the most important developments in economics in the last decade, the flowering of experimental economics. Led by two of the leaders of current economic theory and experimental economics, an impressive group of researchers provides the reader with an excellent up-to-date overview of one of the most fascinating and promising areas of current economic research."--Ariel Rubinstein, Princeton University

"The Handbook is not only a contribution to experimental economics, it is a major contribution to social science. It successfully combines the rigor and clarity of economic analysis with a commitment to open-minded examination of data, and a refreshing willingness to question dogma. Every student of human choice and action will find this text useful."--Daniel Kahneman, The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

"Experimental economics comes of age with this volume. At last the dust begins to clear, and it becomes possible to confront theory with coherent and reliable laboratory data."--Ken Binmore, University College of London

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 864 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (May 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069104290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0691042909
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extremely comprehensive yet succinct, October 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Handbook of Experimental Economics (Paperback)

Who wants to know how experimental economics has evolved, what experimental economists cover and do? Anyone who has ever thought why people make seemingly irrational decisions can read this book and find out how the research has been evolving in that regard! Find interesting differences from economists' view, compared with psychologists' view. The book is a must for any experimental economists, and all researchers interested in judgment and decision making. This is a great book for any experimental economics course... and the website maintained by Alvin Roth is a treasure for further research.

5.0 out of 5 stars all you need to know about lab experiments in econ, February 11, 2010

By 

Maria Perez "cuky" (san francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Handbook of Experimental Economics (Paperback)

if you are considering doing a lab experiment in econ, or would like to be more versed on the subject, this is a must read!
it also provides historical accounts for certain experiments conducted already by experimental psychologists, contrasting the methods and results with the ones done by economists.
(when i bought it, this was the newest handbook you could find, now i guess you should buy the newest version since a lot has happened in this area in the past decade).

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good review/ Introduction, September 15, 2005

By 

A. Milano (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Handbook of Experimental Economics (Hardcover)

The Handbook is a good introduction to some of the key research lines in experimental economics. It is a great place to get started with the literature.