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Getting seen: Results from an online experiment to draw more attention to replications

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Listed:
  • Coupé, Tom
  • Reed, W. Robert
  • Zimmermann, Christian

Abstract

Are users of bibliographic databases interested in learning about replications? Can they be induced to learn? To answer these questions, we performed an experiment using an online research bibliography, Research Papers in Economics (RePEc). RePEc is the main research bibliography for preprints and published papers in economics. Using stratified randomization, we allocated 324 replications and their corresponding original papers to clusters. We then drew from these clusters to construct the treatment and control groups. We added brightly coloured tabs to the relevant webpages to alert visitors to the existence of a replication paper. We monitored traffic over three phases lasting several months: a) no treatment, b) treatment in one group, and c) treatment in both groups. Our estimates indicate that this intervention generated an average click-through rate (CTR) of 1.6 %, resulting in a 13 % increase in the number of visits to the webpages of the replication papers, although only the former estimate was statistically significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Coupé, Tom & Reed, W. Robert & Zimmermann, Christian, 2023. "Getting seen: Results from an online experiment to draw more attention to replications," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(8).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:52:y:2023:i:8:s0048733323001257
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2023.104841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Garret Christensen & Edward Miguel, 2018. "Transparency, Reproducibility, and the Credibility of Economics Research," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 56(3), pages 920-980, September.
    2. Mueller-Langer, Frank & Fecher, Benedikt & Harhoff, Dietmar & Wagner, Gert G., 2019. "Replication studies in economics—How many and which papers are chosen for replication, and why?," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 48(1), pages 62-83.
    3. Lucas C. Coffman & Muriel Niederle, 2015. "Pre-analysis Plans Have Limited Upside, Especially Where Replications Are Feasible," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(3), pages 81-98, Summer.
    4. Ryan, James C. & A Tipu, Syed A., 2022. "Business and management research: Low instances of replication studies and a lack of author independence in replications," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    5. James Berry & Lucas C. Coffman & Douglas Hanley & Rania Gihleb & Alistair J. Wilson, 2017. "Assessing the Rate of Replication in Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(5), pages 27-31, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Replications; RePEc; Experiment; Online research bibliography; Webpages; Click-throughs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

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