Using a sample of 70,399 published p-values from 192 meta-analyses, we empirically estimate the counterfactual distribution of p-values in the absence of any biases. Comparing observed p-values with counterfactually expected p-values allows us to estimate how many p-values are published as being statistically significant when they should have been…

This study investigates whether online homework improves learning in principles of microeconomics. It contributes to the related literature in two dimensions. First, it tests whether there is a positive association between students' performances on homework and exams. Importantly, it measures learning through exams that were given shortly after…

The authors of this article explain how two Veconlab class "experiments" can be used to clarify common points of confusion about the cost curves (sunk, marginal, and average). In each case, the experiment can be motivated, framed, or explained with environmental policy applications that are provided in the suggestions-for-discussion…

The authors of this article propose a simple exercise of monopoly pricing to illustrate complex theoretical results on the welfare effects of group pricing. By exposing students to this exercise, they aim to bridge a gap between the standard textbook analysis of group pricing and more general results in the literature and clarify some students'…

The authors describe an asymmetric information demonstration that assigns students different probabilities of incurring healthcare expenses. In each round, students choose whether to purchase insurance; then, the instructor randomly determines who gets "sick." After computing insurer profits, students help determine a new insurance price…

Instructors may use low-cost, light-touch strategies to help students achieve optimal effort in demanding upper-level courses. The authors of this study exploit an intervention that provides a series of personalized feedback emails to students about their relative performance, which is tied to approving messages or tips that encourage improvement.…

The economics profession has been working to become more open, inclusive, and welcoming. The introductory principles of economics courses provide a unique opportunity to teach students of the wider university the value of the field of economics. It is in this setting that instructors' interactions with students show them a welcoming and diverse…

Social media is becoming a more widely used tool to engage students in learning. LinkedIn (linkedin.com) is a professional social networking platform that most college students are encouraged to use, but it is not widely used as an educational tool. In this article, the author describes how LinkedIn was deployed in a principles course to teach…

The undergraduate economics curricula for most of the 793 U.S. colleges and universities that conferred an economics bachelor's degree in 2019 are described in this article. Besides updating the prevalence of the economics major core requirements and their differences by institution type, the authors record new information on requirement…

The aim of this study is to analyze the use of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in learning Microeconomics. It aims to answer the following research questions: What are the experiences of undergraduate students who studied with Problem-Based Learning (PBL)? Is this strategy useful at the undergraduate level? Does PBL really motivate students? Does it…

The Alchian Maze uses active learning for teaching important economic concepts like spontaneous order and the power of profit and loss. While the game is an effective teaching tool, it is also cheap, low tech, and requires little advance preparation. The author of this article provides an overview on how to create and run an Alchian Maze. A number…

This article describes a conceptual and empirical approach for estimating a human capital production function of child development that incorporates mother- or child-fixed effects. The use of mother- or child-fixed effects is common in this applied economics literature, but its application is often inconsistent with human capital theory. We…

Bounded rationality is a key concept with implications across all areas of economics. To help students better understand the nature, causes and forms of bounded rationality in individual choice, the authors present a flexible classroom experiment. Beyond providing students with some first-hand evidence of bounded rationality, the experiment shows…

This chapter addresses how sustainability can be incorporated within the Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics curriculum. Examples of assignments along with case study assessments of the impact of the assignments as they relate to understanding and fostering sustainability in the student are provided.

This article contributes to the literature on interdisciplinary teaching by describing, analyzing, and evaluating an interdisciplinary intervention while students are still gaining disciplinary grounding. The intervention bridges courses in microeconomics and ethics. It focuses on the travelling concepts of voluntariness and value in a potential…