@article{THESIS, recid = {13112}, author = {Heron, Connor}, title = {Optimal Generalization: An Optimal Experimental Design Approach to the External Validity Crisis}, publisher = {University of Chicago}, school = {M.A.}, address = {2024-08}, number = {THESIS}, abstract = {Economic experiments are prized for their high internal validity due to the randomization tech- niques they employ. However, especially in recent years, they have been criticized for their lack of external validity—the ability of their results to apply to different populations, settings, and con- texts. Despite these critiques and concerns, an economist seeking to optimally design an experiment for external validity lacks quantitative guidance, even though there is a wealth of literature on op- timal design for maximizing internal validity. This paper bridges that gap by outlining and solving a series of novel optimal design problems, providing experimental economists with the quantitative tools necessary to maximize the generalizability of their results.}, url = {http://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/13112}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.6082/uchicago.13112}, }