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When is a talent contest not a talent contest? Sequential performance bias in expert evaluation

Author

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  • Collins, Alan
  • McKenzie, Jordi
  • Vaughan Williams, Leighton

Abstract

This study extends earlier work identifying sequence order biases in contest outcomes determined solely by popular voting. Results for different contest evaluation formats are empirically scrutinised, where both expert panel scoring and popular voting determine contest ranking. Forms of sequence order bias exist separately in the expert panel voting even though they are undertaken after each individual performance, as well as in the popular vote at the end of the contest. We suggest that the biases observed in the expert voting can be explained as a type of ‘grade inflation’.

Suggested Citation

  • Collins, Alan & McKenzie, Jordi & Vaughan Williams, Leighton, 2019. "When is a talent contest not a talent contest? Sequential performance bias in expert evaluation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 94-98.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:177:y:2019:i:c:p:94-98
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2019.01.029
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Page, Lionel & Page, Katie, 2010. "Last shall be first: A field study of biases in sequential performance evaluation on the Idol series," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(2), pages 186-198, February.
    2. Lenten, Liam J.A. & Crosby, Paul & McKenzie, Jordi, 2019. "Sentiment and bias in performance evaluation by impartial arbitrators," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 128-134.
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    Cited by:

    1. Beomsoo Kim & Sangsoo Park & Yang Zhao, 2021. "How people vote in contests: new findings from Immortal Songs 2," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 45(1), pages 45-62, March.
    2. Bryson, Alex & Dolton, Peter & Reade, J. James & Schreyer, Dominik & Singleton, Carl, 2020. "Experimental Effects of an Absent Crowd on Performances and Refereeing Decisions during COVID-19," IZA Discussion Papers 13578, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Bryson, Alex & Dolton, Peter & Reade, J. James & Schreyer, Dominik & Singleton, Carl, 2021. "Causal effects of an absent crowd on performances and refereeing decisions during Covid-19," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    4. Abel François & Nicolas Lagios & Pierre-Guillaume Méon, 2023. "Jurisdiction size and perceived corruption," Working Papers CEB 23-003, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Voting; Performance evaluation; Sequence order bias; Expert judgement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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