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Experimentation and manipulation with preregistration

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  • Felgenhauer, Mike

Abstract

Preregistration requires scientists to describe the planned research activities before their project begins. Preregistration improves transparency in empirical research and is an institutional response to scientific misconduct. This paper studies the impact of a preregistration requirement in a model in which a sender can generate information for a receiver by running private experiments. The sender can also engage in uninformative manipulation. This paper argues that a preregistration requirement can discourage p-hacking, but also result in even more detrimental faked studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Felgenhauer, Mike, 2021. "Experimentation and manipulation with preregistration," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 400-408.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:130:y:2021:i:c:p:400-408
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2021.09.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emeric Henry, 2009. "Strategic Disclosure of Research Results: The Cost of Proving Your Honesty," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 119(539), pages 1036-1064, July.
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    5. Mike Felgenhauer & Petra Loerke, 2017. "Bayesian Persuasion With Private Experimentation," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 58(3), pages 829-856, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Experimentation; Persuasion; Manipulation; Information acquisition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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