000013112 001__ 13112
000013112 005__ 20250806083346.0
000013112 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.6082/uchicago.13112
000013112 037__ $$aTHESIS
000013112 037__ $$bThesis
000013112 041__ $$aeng
000013112 245__ $$aOptimal Generalization: An Optimal Experimental Design Approach to the External Validity Crisis
000013112 260__ $$bUniversity of Chicago
000013112 269__ $$a2024-08
000013112 336__ $$aThesis
000013112 502__ $$bM.A.
000013112 520__ $$aEconomic experiments are prized for their high internal validity due to the randomization tech- niques they employ. However, especially in recent years, they have been criticized for their lack of external validity—the ability of their results to apply to different populations, settings, and con- texts. Despite these critiques and concerns, an economist seeking to optimally design an experiment for external validity lacks quantitative guidance, even though there is a wealth of literature on op- timal design for maximizing internal validity. This paper bridges that gap by outlining and solving a series of novel optimal design problems, providing experimental economists with the quantitative tools necessary to maximize the generalizability of their results.
000013112 540__ $$a© 2024 Connor Heron
000013112 542__ $$fCC BY-NC
000013112 6531_ $$aExperimental Economics
000013112 6531_ $$aOptimal Design
000013112 6531_ $$aExternal Validity
000013112 690__ $$aSocial Sciences Division 
000013112 691__ $$aMA Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS)
000013112 7001_ $$aHeron, Connor$$uUniversity of Chicago
000013112 72012 $$aJohn A. List
000013112 72014 $$aKotaro Yoshida
000013112 8564_ $$9ec216864-ed6d-4a6d-a8a4-fcea964352ee$$erestricted$$s1871304$$uhttps://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/13112/files/Thesis_final.pdf
000013112 908__ $$aI agree
000013112 909CO $$ooai:uchicago.tind.io:13112$$pGLOBAL_SET$$pTheses
000013112 983__ $$aThesis