Back to History Current Version

An experiment in message design

Last registered on October 05, 2020
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
An experiment in message design
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0006414
Initial registration date
October 03, 2020

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
October 05, 2020, 10:35 AM EDT

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

Locations

Country
Kenya
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Nicholas Otis
Affiliation
University of California, Berkeley
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2020-10-05
End date
2021-08-31
Keywords
Behavior, Governance, Health, Welfare
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Abstract
This study examines the effect of financial and nonfinancial incentives on motivating people to come up with effective text messages. Further study information will be released after data collection has been completed to avoid the possibility of demand effects.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Otis, Nicholas. 2020. "An experiment in message design." AEA RCT Registry. October 05. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.6414-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Further study information will be released after data collection has been completed to avoid the possibility of demand effects.
Intervention Start Date
2020-10-31
Intervention End Date
2020-11-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Percent of participants who respond to each message, and who answer quiz questions correctly.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Further study information will be released after data collection has been completed to avoid the possibility of demand effects.
Experimental Design Details
Study participants are invited to create text messages to motivate people to learn more about coronavirus. Each participant comes up with a minimum of 2 messages. Incentives for coming up with effective messages are randomized at the individual level. The main randomizations vary the payout received by the participant and the benefit received by a nonprofit research organization as a function of how effective their messages are (contracting on outcomes is possible through a second experiment that is used to evaluate messages).
Randomization Method
Randomization is done by computer.
Randomization Unit
Randomization takes place at the individual level.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
800 participants.
Note the number of participants will be a function of two screening criteria: Whether the messages that participants come up with violate five rules described in the survey body, and whether the participants pass (pre-randomization) survey screening questions.
Sample size: planned number of observations
Approximately 1,600 messages (for main randomizations, before screening criteria are applied).
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Approximately 266 messages per condition (for main randomizations, before screening criteria are applied).
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 California, Berkeley. Office for Protection of Human Subjects
IRB Approval Date
2020-04-10
IRB Approval Number
2020-03-13099
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