Course Name: Experimental Methods
Time and place: from 15 to 19 June 2026 at Aalto Business School (Summer 2026)
Learning goal and objectives: after completing the course, the student is able to:
· List the rules of causation and build a conceptual framework
· Recognize and conceptualize the elements of an experiment (independent variables, dependent variables, controls).
· Apply experimental Design to the students’ field of interest.
· Use Qualtrics to create an experiment protocol and Prolific for data collection.
· Analyze experimental data.
Instruction and examination:
The course provides an overview of experimental research methods, starting with an introduction to causal research and a discussion of its benefits and drawbacks. Various types of experiments will be presented, followed by practical considerations like data collection methods, data analysis techniques and model development. The primary emphasis of the course is on how to design experiments effectively to test causal relationships rigorously in social science research.
Syllabus:
· Day 1 (Monday):
o 9:00-10:30 Research methods in Marketing.
o 10:30-12:00 Causality
o 13:00-16:00 Online workshop: Recognize the variables.
· Day 2 (Tuesday):
o 9:00-10:30 Experimental design.
o 10:30-12:00 Variables, controls, confounds.
o 13:00-16:00 Online workshop: design a conceptual framework.
· Day 3 (Wednesday):
o 9:00-10:30 Qualtrics
o 10:30-12:00 Prolific, set up data collection.
o 13:00-16:00 Online workshop: design your experiment on Qualtrics.
· Day 4 (Thursday):
o 9:00-10:30 ANOVA
o 10:30-12:00 Moderation/Mediation Analysis.
o 13:00-16:00 Online workshop: preparation of the presentations.
· Day 5 (Friday):
o 9:00-13:30 pesentation of students’proposals.
Credits: 6 ECTS
Grading:
Students will be expected to create a research proposal for an experimental study on a subject that interests them. The proposal should include all aspects of the research except for data collection, and it will be evaluated based on the quality of the experimental design and the coherence with the theoretical framework.
Format of the proposal:Powerpoint, 15 slides.
The proposal will be evaluated using a five-level grading scale: sufficient, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent.
Prerequisites: None
Admittance: 25 students are admitted to the course.
To apply for enrollment in the course, please send an email to the course coordinator, Anastasia Nanni. The application period ends on April 30, 2026.
Instructors:
Anastasia Nanni,
Assistant Professor, Marketing Department.
Aalto Business School.
Aulona Ulqinaku
Associate Professor, Marketing Department.
Leeds Business School.
Course coordinator and contact information:
Anastasia Nanni,
Assistant Professor,Marketing Department.
Aalto Business School. anastasia.nanni@aalto.fi
Phone: +358 50467784