Democratic procedures during war

Last registered on September 20, 2023
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Democratic procedures during war
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0012131
Initial registration date
September 15, 2023

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
September 20, 2023, 10:53 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Olga Onuch
Affiliation
University of Manchester
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2023-09-08
End date
2023-12-31
Keywords
Behavior, Education
Additional Keywords
Ukraine, democracy, war
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This study includes an experimental design to study agreement with the continuity of democratic procedures in Ukraine in the context of war.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Onuch, Olga. 2023. "Democratic procedures during war." AEA RCT Registry. September 20. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.12131-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
The study randomizes three groups and explores their support for democratic procedures in Ukraine based on different primes.
Intervention Start Date
2023-09-08
Intervention End Date
2023-09-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
The first aim is to measure support for democratic procedures in Ukraine. The second aim is to measure to what extent support for democratic procedures is affected by wartime primes.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
It is expected that support for the continuity of democratic procedures during wartime could be sensitive to context information. People’s responses could vary based on social desirability; therefore, the test explores two potential directions. Firstly, if they are informed that some people believe that is fair to suspend democratic rules; secondly, if others reinforce democratic rule.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
This study utilizes phone interviews with a randomly selected group of people from Ukraine's population. The survey agency KIIS generates random cell phone numbers using a computer. KIIS then contacts the chosen phone numbers, and if an adult answers, invites them to participate in the interview. If the number is invalid or the person who answers is unable to participate, the interviewer moves on to the next number.

Participants will be randomly allocated in three parallel groups. One of those groups constitutes the control group; while the other two are the treated groups and receive a statement. The two statements will provide subtle input on social desirability associated with the intended outcome
Experimental Design Details
This study utilizes phone interviews with a randomly selected group of people from Ukraine's population. The survey agency KIIS generates random cell phone numbers using a computer. KIIS then contacts the chosen phone numbers, and if an adult answers, invites them to participate in the interview. If the number is invalid or the person who answers is unable to participate, the interviewer moves on to the next number.

Participants will be randomly allocated in three parallel groups. One of those groups constitutes the control group; while the other two are the treated groups and receive a statement. The two statements will provide subtle input on social desirability associated with the intended outcome.

The items corresponding with each group are presented below:

Group 1 [control]
No prime

Group 2 [treatment 1]
Some people say that given the context of all-out War with Russia democratic procedures do not always need to be followed in Ukraine.

Group 3 [treatment 2]
Some people say that given the context of all-out War with Russia democratic procedures must always be followed in Ukraine.

Question [control and treatment]
How important is it to you that democratic procedures are always followed in Ukraine.
1. Very important
2. Somewhat important
3. Not very important
4. Not important at all
97. Hard to say
98. Refuse

Randomization Method
KIIS follows a standard randomization software to achieve randomization of treatment.
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
o
Sample size: planned number of observations
2,000 respondents, all adult residents of Ukraine
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Approximately 660 respondents per arm
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
University of Manchester Ethics Committee 4
IRB Approval Date
2023-09-04
IRB Approval Number
2023-7489-30952
Analysis Plan

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Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials