Social Class and Help-seeking Behavior

Last registered on November 15, 2024
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Social Class and Help-seeking Behavior
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0014800
Initial registration date
November 10, 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, 2:06 PM EST

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
Yao Yao
Affiliation
University of Houston
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Lai Wei
PI Affiliation
Boston College
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Meng Li
PI Affiliation
University of Houston
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2024-11-11
End date
2025-01-11
Keywords
Behavior, Lab
Additional Keywords
Social Class Background, Help-seeking Behavior
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Help-seeking behaviors are crucial for enhancing workers' performance in the workplace. This study aims to investigate whether and how workers from lower, middle, and upper social classes differ in their help-seeking behaviors at work. In response, this study will collect data on workers' help-seeking choices when encountering challenges in the workplace.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Li, Meng, Lai Wei and Yao Yao. 2024. "Social Class and Help-seeking Behavior." AEA RCT Registry. November 15. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.14800-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
This study will not involve any intervention but observe the participant's help-seeking choices in different scenarios.
Intervention (Hidden)
This study will not involve any intervention but observe the participant's help-seeking choices in different scenarios.
Intervention Start Date
2024-11-11
Intervention End Date
2025-01-11

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Help-seeking Choice
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
The help-seeking choice is a discrete variable including two possible choices, i.e., solve the question independently or seek help from the human.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The participant is tasked with making the help-seeking choice when facing difficulty in different scenarios.
Experimental Design Details
Participants are asked to imagine themselves as junior employees at a company. While working on a project, they encounter a question they are not fully confident in answering independently, but one they must resolve within 2 to 3 hours. To address the issue, they are given two options: (i) solve the question independently, or (ii) seek help from their supervisor. If they choose to solve the question independently, no extra time or cost is required, but they must resolve the challenge on their own. Seeking help from the supervisor involves scheduling an appointment, discussing the question, and receiving guidance from the supervisor, who is the direct manager responsible for mentoring their work and providing performance reviews.

Participants are required to provide help-seeking choices under two scenarios: one in which they encounter a difficult task and another in which they face an easy task. Before proceeding with the survey, they must pass comprehension checks regarding the quality of advice and task characteristics. Finally, participants provide information about themselves and their families, allowing us to assess their objective social class background.
Randomization Method
N/A
Randomization Unit
N/A
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
150-300 Individuals
Sample size: planned number of observations
200-600 Help-seeking Choices
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
N/A
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 Houston
IRB Approval Date
2024-04-23
IRB Approval Number
STUDY00004669
Analysis Plan

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