In this paper, we give a short history of our field trial experiment i
n applied econometrics and outline the aims of the experiment. We disc
uss features of our experimental design, and judge to what extent our
design was successful. The difficulties of such an experiment are ackn
owledged. The issue of tacit knowledge in applied econometrics is rais
ed as a problem for further research. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.