Interpreting Economic Games

Lab experiments are a powerful method for the social sciences. Recent decades have seen an increase of experimental work throughout the disciplines, and an increasing formalisation of experimental protocols. Economic games, in particular, provide a potent tool for comparable and replicable research. However, experimental results do not speak for themselves: they require interpretation. In this paper, I present a short introduction to the method of economic experiments and discuss some of the most common concerns that arise in their interpretation.