Groups solving complex tasks

Last registered on May 13, 2024
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Groups solving complex tasks
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0013495
Initial registration date
May 07, 2024

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
May 13, 2024, 12:26 PM EDT

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

Locations

Country
United States of America
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Riccardo Vannozzi
Affiliation
Universität Hamburg
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Andreas Roider
PI Affiliation
University of Regensburg
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Gerd Muehlheusser
PI Affiliation
University of Hamburg
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Niklas Wallmeier
PI Affiliation
arq decisions GmbH
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2024-05-08
End date
2024-06-30
Keywords
Behavior, Firms & Productivity, Lab
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
In an online experiment, groups of 2, 3, 4, or 5 persons have to solve a complex task collectively while interacting in a video chat. The performance of the group determines the monetary payoff of its members. We first investigate how group size affects group performance. We also explore how group members' personal characteristics impact group performance. Moreover, after the group task we ask subjects to state which fellow group members were instrumental for group performance ("leaders"). Finally, we then investigate how leaders' personal characteristics correlate with them being perceived as leaders as well as with group success.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Muehlheusser, Gerd et al. 2024. "Groups solving complex tasks." AEA RCT Registry. May 13. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.13495-1.0
Sponsors & Partners

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Random allocation of subjects to treatment groups (group size) via online experiment.
Intervention Start Date
2024-05-08
Intervention End Date
2024-06-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
1) Number of complex tasks solved by groups as well as behavioral patterns in the process of solving tasks

2) subjects' individual assessments of their personal characteristics (cognitive skills, social intelligence, overconfidence)

3) subjects' individual assessment which group member was most instrumental for group performance

4) communication patterns within groups (using microphone log data)
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
In an online experiment, groups of 2, 3, 4, or 5 persons have to solve a complex task collectively while interacting in a video chat. The performance of the group determines the monetary payoff of its members. We first investigate how group size affects group performance. We also explore how group members' personal characteristics impact group performance. Moreover, after the group task we ask subjects to state which fellow group members were instrumental for group performance ("leaders"). Finally, we then investigate how leaders' personal characteristics correlate with them being perceived as leaders as well as with group success.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Randomization done in office by a computer
Randomization Unit
Groups
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
60 group observations per group size
Sample size: planned number of observations
60 groups observations per group size
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
60 group observations per group size
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 Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Dean's office
IRB Approval Date
2018-11-07
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

There is information in this trial unavailable to the public. Use the button below to request access.

Request Information

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