Experimental Design: Principles and Practices in the Open Science Era

Jieying Chen

Abstract

Experimental designs offer crucial advantages in strengthening causal inference and ruling out confounding factors, which provide considerable value for entrepreneurship research. This presentation aims to provide an overview of principles and practices of experimental design in the Open Science era. We will review fundamental concepts and principles of experimental design, such as randomization, control, and validity. We will also discuss practical considerations and best practices for conducting experiments in light of the increasing emphasis on transparency and reproducibility in social science research. Using a study about hindsight bias during the pandemic as an example, we will delve into practical issues such as power analysis, pre-registration, data sharing, and reporting. By the end of this presentation, attendees will gain a basic understanding of the necessary knowledge and tools needed to design and implement experiments for entrepreneurship research.