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Recruiting experimental subjects using WhatsApp

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  • Jorrat, Diego

Abstract

The aim of many experiments is to estimate the effect of different interventions on subjects’ decision making. However, obtaining large samples and internal validity is challenging. This paper presents an alternative device at almost no cost that can easily provide a very large number of participants (700 in 1 hour). We asked 14 students to invite their WhatsApp contacts to participate in an online experiment. The students created a total of 80 diffusion groups with 25 contacts each. Using the diffusion groups as clusters, we ran a cluster randomization procedure in order to assign subjects to a framing experiment (treatment + control). We obtained the same level of attrition, duplicates and uninvited subjects across the treatment and control groups. Moreover, the experiment yielded consistent results in line with the framing literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorrat, Diego, 2021. "Recruiting experimental subjects using WhatsApp," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:90:y:2021:i:c:s221480432030687x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2020.101644
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    Cited by:

    1. Prissé, Benjamin & Jorrat, Diego, 2022. "Lab vs online experiments: No differences," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Lovász, Anna & Bat-Erdene, Boldmaa & Cukrowska-Torzewska, Ewa & Rigó, Mariann & Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes, 2023. "Competition, subjective feedback, and gender gaps in performance," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    3. Guo, Yiting & Shachat, Jason & Walker, Matthew J. & Wei, Lijia, 2023. "On the generalizability of using mobile devices to conduct economic experiments," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    4. Alfonso-Costillo, Antonio & Brañas-Garza, Pablo & López-Martín, Ma Carmen, 2022. "Does the die-under-the-cup device exaggerate cheating?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    5. Melo, Grace & Sanhueza, Dérgica & Morales, Sarahi & Pena-Levano, Luis, 2021. "What does the Pandemic Mean for Experiential Learning? Lessons from Latin America," Applied Economics Teaching Resources (AETR), Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 3(3), September.
    6. Alfonso, Antonio & Brañas-Garza, Pablo & Jorrat, Diego & Lomas, Pablo & Prissé, Benjamin & Vasco, Mónica & Vázquez-De Francisco, María J., 2023. "The adventure of running experiments with teenagers," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    7. Prissé, Benjamin & Jorrat, Diego, 2021. "Lack of Control: An experiment," MPRA Paper 109918, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Recruiting; Online Experiments; Prisoner’s Dilemma; Randomization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • C99 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Other
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General

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