Applied Quantitative Methods for Management Research - 2026

Module C: Experimental Designs

 

Course coordinator: Jacob L. Orquin

Lecturer: Jacob Orquin, Nick Simonsen

Workload: 3 ECTS

Administrative assistance: Lisbeth Widahl

Time and place: 

Week 48, Monday-Wednesday, 23-25 November 2026, from 9.00 – 16.00

Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen, 8000 Aarhus C. Room: TBA.

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The course Experimental design builds on the knowledge and skills learned in the course Applied Quantitative Methods for Management Research - Module A: Understanding causality. The course therefore requires a basic understanding of statistics (regression) and causality. The course is organised around a typical workflow in experimental research in management and marketing. Each unit teaches theory followed by hands-on exercises.

Course objectives:

Critically Evaluate Experimental Research
Students will be able to read, interpret, and critically review scientific articles that use experimental methods, assessing the validity of causal claims and the appropriateness of experimental designs.

Design and Conduct Experiments
Students will gain the ability to design and implement factorial experiments, including defining manipulations, selecting appropriate experimental designs (e.g., within- or between-subjects), and addressing potential biases such as learning effects and demand characteristics.

Analyse Experimental Data
Students will learn how to analyse experimental data using generalised linear mixed models to account for fixed and random effects and conduct power analyses to determine appropriate sample sizes.

Develop Reproducible and Transparent Research Workflows
Students will be able to create reproducible research workflows, including preregistration, data collection, manipulation checks, and transparent reporting of findings following APA Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS).

Day 1

• Core concepts: a short introduction to the core concepts in experimental methods, such as randomisation, and the logic behind experiments (testing causality).
• Operationalisation: how does one translate a research question or research idea into a concrete measurement and manipulation?
• Design of experiments: we will cover experimental design elements, such as within and between-subjects designs, blocking, randomisation, counterbalancing, and how these design elements can be applied to address complications that arise from testing human subjects such as learning effects, demand effects, carry-over effects, attrition etc.

Day 2

• Analysing experimental data: we will cover the basic theory of generalized linear mixed models and see how these models can flexibly be applied to any experimental design and measurement variable by adjusting the fixed and random effects part of the model.
• Power analysis: what is statistical power and how do you use power analysis or power simulations to determine your participant sample size? We will also discuss alternative approaches to participant sample size determination, such as heuristic methods and sequential stopping.

Day 3

• Data collection: ethical consideration in experimental methods, how to set up manipulation checks and how to test data quality, how to complete a preregistration?
• Reproducible workflows: how can methods from data science help us create transparent and reproducible workflows from raw data to reporting of findings?
• Reporting: how to write a method and results section for an experimental study based using the APA Journal Article Reporting System (JARS).

Readings: TBA

Post course assignment
After completion of the course the student must demonstrate the use of concepts and methods. The assignment is maximum five pages and should contain a method and results section that meet the standards for scientific reporting in international top journals. 

Application
Deadline for application: 12 October 2026. Please download and fill in the application form. The application form should be sent by email to: Department of Management, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, att. Lisbeth Widahl. Please note that your application is binding.

Fee
External participants (from outside Aarhus University) will have to pay a fee to cover lunch and refreshments. For more information, please contact Lisbeth Widahl. Participants will have to make their own arrangements regarding travel and accommodation.