23717 Trial Design
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 23718 Statistical Foundations for Economics and Business
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject presents the student with the principle and method of experimental research. Students learn the theory and good practice of designing experiments in the field and test possible options. The subject reviews all the different confounds which can appear in an experimental study (e.g. differential selection into the experimental conditions) and how to ensure that an experimental project delivers the right insights (e.g. power, pre-analysis plan).
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Deconstruct a general empirical question into simple relations between variables to investigate |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design an experimental trial, from the conceptual aspect to the practical implementation |
| 3. | Design a trial to investigate behavioural predictions |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject will train students into understanding the key principles of experimental trials to give them the skills to design and implement trials in the field. The unit will review the statistical principles behind the use of trials, and the state of the art methodology to run a behavioural trial. The unit will also cover the ethics of trial involving human participants. The analytic skills gained in this unit are of critical demand in the industry.
This subject contributes to developing the following graduate attribute(s):
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
- Professional and technical competence
This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objective(s):
- Assess the ethical issues raised by behavioural interventions, using the principles of equity, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability as well as Indigenous values relating to professional practice in Behavioural Economics. (3.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject will embed fundamental principles into practical applications to train the students into being able to readily apply trial design techniques in organisations.
The material will be taught through a blend of online resources, self-directed study and seminars. Subject content will be presented to students in a variety of formats (lecture slides, notes, videos, articles) and delivered both online and in-class. At the beginning of the unit, students are expected to review materials and complete tasks on their own before attending a weekly Zoom review session with the lecturer. Materials will be provided to students on the UTS Learning Management System, but students are also expected to seek information independently. At the end of the unit, seminars offer face to face interaction to review the material and engage students with the material. Seminars are highly interactive. Students will receive individual feedback in-class from the lecturer. Students will apply the principles and methods presented in the course in the design of a hypothetical trial as part of the assessment.
Content (topics)
- The insights from experimental trials
- The many confounding risks to trials
- The rules to follow when designing trials (including ethical guidelines)
- Implementation
- Analysis and interpretation
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quiz (online)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: |
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Assessment task 2: Trial design (with written report)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 65% |
| Length: | Maximum: 1500 words |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.