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The e ect of financial rewards on students achievement: Evidence from a randomized experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Edwin Leuven

    (University of Amsterdam & Tinbergen Institute)

  • Hessel Oosterbeek

    (University of Amsterdam & Tinbergen Institute)

  • Bas van der Klaauw

    (Free University Amsterdam & Tinbergen Institute)

Abstract

This paper reports about a randomized field experiment in which first year economics and business students at the University of Amsterdam could earn financial rewards for passing the first year requirements within one year. Participants were assigned to a high, low and zero (control) reward group. The passing rate and the numbers of collected credit point are not statistically di erent across the three groups. We do find some evidence for heterogeneous treatment effects. In particular, high ability students and students from higher social backgrounds have higher passing rates and collect more credit points when assigned to (higher) reward groups. Students in the reward groups, however, do not report to have studied more hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin Leuven & Hessel Oosterbeek & Bas van der Klaauw, 2004. "The e ect of financial rewards on students achievement: Evidence from a randomized experiment," HEW 0410002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwphe:0410002
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 35
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frey, Bruno S & Oberholzer-Gee, Felix, 1997. "The Cost of Price Incentives: An Empirical Analysis of Motivation Crowding-Out," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(4), pages 746-755, September.
    2. Michael Kremer & Edward Miguel & Rebecca Thornton, 2009. "Incentives to Learn," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 91(3), pages 437-456, August.
    3. Edwin Leuven & Hessel Oosterbeek & Bas van der Klaauw, 2010. "The Effect of Financial Rewards on Students' Achievement: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 8(6), pages 1243-1265, December.
    4. Caroline M. Hoxby, 2000. "The Effects of Class Size on Student Achievement: New Evidence from Population Variation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(4), pages 1239-1285.
    5. Tomas Philipson, 1999. "External Treatment Effects and Program Implementation Bias," Working Papers 9929, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago.
    6. Joshua Angrist & Eric Bettinger & Erik Bloom & Elizabeth King & Michael Kremer, 2002. "Vouchers for Private Schooling in Colombia: Evidence from a Randomized Natural Experiment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(5), pages 1535-1558, December.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial incentives; student achievement; randomized social experiment; heterogeneous treatment effects; university education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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