Back to History Current Version

Preference for the Workplace and Youth Unemployment

Last registered on November 15, 2024
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Preference for the Workplace and Youth Unemployment
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0014580
Initial registration date
October 30, 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
November 15, 2024, 1:03 PM EST

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

Locations

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

Request Information

Primary Investigator

Name
Mingxing Huang
Affiliation
Peking University
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Hongmei Yi
PI Affiliation
Peking University
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Haoran He
PI Affiliation
Beijing Normal University
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2024-10-31
End date
2026-06-30
Keywords
Behavior, Labor
Additional Keywords
Reservation price, market price, workplace amenities, job search
JEL code(s)
J21, J33
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This study designs a field experiment to explore the determinants of job preferences and their effects on job search behavior and outcomes. Using a large sample of college students in China, the study aims to provide insights into the causes of youth unemployment and potential solutions. This plan was developed prior to the formal intervention.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
He, Haoran, Mingxing Huang and Hongmei Yi. 2024. "Preference for the Workplace and Youth Unemployment." AEA RCT Registry. November 15. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.14580-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
This study examines the impact of providing labor market and peer information on college students' job preferences, as well as their subsequent job search behavior and outcomes.
Intervention Start Date
2024-10-31
Intervention End Date
2024-11-15

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
There are two types of primary outcomes in this study:

1.Job preferences, including reservation prices for job attributes, which will be measured through an incentivized choice experiment.

2.Job search behavior and outcomes, including post-graduation employment status, as well as the attributes of both the current job and any jobs that were forgone during the job search process.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
1.Fertility intention, including the percentage likelihood of having children and the preferred gender composition.

2.Social media usage, including the types and intensity of activities, as well as reactions to social media recommendation algorithms.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Details of the experimental design will remain undisclosed until the trial is completed.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Based on data from our baseline survey in September, we will randomly assign all participating students into 13 groups. To account for differences across study fields, randomization will be stratified by study field. The sample consists of approximately 10,000 students from 279 classes across 8 schools, covering nearly 200 majors. We group these majors into study fields according to the classification system established by the Ministry of Education of China. In total, there are 27 study fields, with 17 from higher vocational colleges and 10 from universities (compared to a total of 19 in higher vocational colleges and 12 in universities).

Within each study field, we will generate a random integer between 1 and 13 using a uniform distribution, and students will be assigned to different experimental groups based on the number they receive. For students receiving both market and peer information, the order of information presentation will be further randomized: half will receive market information first, and the other half will receive peer information first.
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
The sample consists of approximately 10,000 students from 279 classes across 8 schools, representing 27 study fields.
Sample size: planned number of observations
The sample consists of approximately 10,000 students from 279 classes across 8 schools, representing 27 study fields.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
The planned number of observations will be randomly and evenly distributed across 13 groups.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Peking University Institutional Review Board
IRB Approval Date
2024-09-05
IRB Approval Number
IRB00001052-24089
Analysis Plan