Empirical economics frequently involves testing whether a theoretical proposition is evident in a data set. This thesis explores methods for confronting such theoretical propositions with evidence. Chapter 1 develops a methodological framework for assessing whether binary (`Yes'/`No') observations exhibit a discrete change, confronting a theoretical model with data from an experiment investigating the effect of introducing a private finance option into a public system of finance. Chapter 2 expands the framework to identify two discrete changes, applying the method to the evaluation of adherence to clinical practice guidelines. The framework uses a combination of existing analytical techniques and provides results which are robust and visually intuitive. The overall result is a methodology for evaluation of guideline adherence which leverages existing patient care records and is generalizable across clinical contexts. An application to a set of field data on supplemental oxygen administration decisions of volunteer medical first responders illustrates.
Chapter 3 compares the results of two mechanisms used to control industrial emissions. Cap and Trade imposes an absolute cap on emissions and any emission capacity not utilized by a firm can be sold to other firms via tradable permits. In Intensity Targets systems firms earn (owe) tradable credits for emissions below (above) a baseline implied by a relative Intensity Target. Cap and Trade is commonly believed to be superior to Intensity Targets because the relative Intensity Target subsidizes emissions. Chapter 3 reports on an experiment designed to test theoretical predictions in a long-run laboratory environment in which firms make emission abatement technology and output production decisions when demand for output is uncertain, and banking of tradable permits may or may not be permitted. Particular focus is placed on testing whether the flexibility inherent to Intensity Targets can lead them to be superior to Cap and Trade when demand is stochastic. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/20637 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Thomas, Stephanie |
| Contributors | Hurley, Jeremiah, Racine, Jeffrey, Buckley, Neil, Mestelman, Stuart, Economics |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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