Lecture Series: Practical Guidance for Survey and Field Experiments by Jens Hainmueller (Stanford)

Survey experiments – randomized interventions embedded in surveys – offer a flexible and cost-effective way to test mechanisms, measure attitudes, and pilot interventions. They are increasingly used as stand-alone designs or in combination with field experiments to strengthen causal inference. Field experiments complement this approach by uncovering causal effects in real-world settings, often with high external validity. This workshop provides hands-on guidance for designing and implementing both survey and field experiments, with a focus on practical strategies and methodological best practices. Topics include power analysis, blocking, estimating treatment effects, and ensuring transparency and replicability. Participants will gain the tools and confidence to run high-quality experiments that produce credible, policy-relevant insights.