The Handbook of Experimental Economics, Volume 2

The Handbook of Experimental Economics, Volume 2 continues the comprehensive overview of experimental economics research begun in Volume 1. This second volume, edited by Nobel laureate Al Roth, presents detailed surveys of major areas of study within the field from 1995-2015. The book covers topics including learning in games, bargaining, auctions, matching markets, and social preferences. Each chapter contains explanations of experimental methods, key findings, and implications for economic theory and policy applications. Contributors examine how controlled laboratory experiments have enhanced understanding of human economic behavior and market design. The text includes extensive data, graphs, and documentation of experimental procedures. This volume demonstrates the evolution of experimental economics from a niche methodology to a mainstream tool for testing economic theories and developing real-world market solutions. The work highlights the increasing sophistication of experimental methods and their growing influence on economic policy.

Readers value this book as a comprehensive technical reference on experimental economics research. Multiple reviewers note its utility for graduate students and researchers, though several mention it is too advanced for undergraduates or newcomers to the field. Likes: - Thorough coverage of methodological developments - Strong focus on market design applications - Clear explanations of complex experiments - High-quality data and analysis Dislikes: - Very dense and technical writing style - Assumes significant prior knowledge - High price point ($120+) - Some sections seen as overly theoretical Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (8 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) The limited number of public reviews likely reflects the book's specialized academic nature. One economics PhD student on Goodreads called it "indispensable but intimidating," while an Amazon reviewer praised its "comprehensive treatment of experimental methods in economics."

Behavioral Game Theory: Experiments in Strategic Interaction by Colin F. Camerer This text presents experimental research on how humans make strategic decisions, complementing the theoretical foundations covered in Roth's handbook.

Markets, Games, and Strategic Behavior by Charles A. Holt The book provides laboratory experiments and exercises in economics, market design, and game theory that build upon concepts explored in experimental economics research.

Experimental Economics: Rethinking the Rules by Nicholas Bardsley, Robin Cubitt, Graham Loomes, Peter Moffatt, Chris Starmer, and Robert Sugden This work examines the methodological foundations of experimental economics and presents frameworks for conducting economic experiments.

Quasi-Rational Economics by Richard Thaler The text explores behavioral economics through experimental evidence and demonstrates how human behavior deviates from standard economic models.

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John von Neumann, Oskar Morgenstern This foundational text establishes the mathematical framework for game theory that underlies modern experimental economics research.

🔬 Al Roth won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2012 for his work on market design and matching theory, much of which is discussed in this handbook. 🏥 The book includes groundbreaking research on kidney exchange programs, which Roth helped design to match kidney donors with compatible recipients more efficiently. 📚 This volume is the sequel to the first Handbook of Experimental Economics published in 1995, representing nearly 20 years of new developments in the field. 🎲 The handbook demonstrates how experimental economics has evolved from simple game theory experiments to complex real-world applications, including school choice systems and spectrum auctions. 🔄 Roth's work featured in the book helped create the National Resident Matching Program, which matches medical students with residency programs across the United States, affecting thousands of doctors annually.