Algorithmic Nudges

Last registered on October 27, 2020
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Algorithmic Nudges
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0006660
Initial registration date
October 23, 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 27, 2020, 7:20 AM 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
CA

Primary Investigator

Name
Sanjog Misra
Affiliation
University of Chicago
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2020-10-01
End date
2020-12-31
Keywords
Behavior, Welfare
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Abstract
Nudges are a combination of words and contexts chosen by the sender to elicit a (desired) response from the receiver without a material change in incentives. We aim to develop and test a framework that algorithmically constructs individual nudges and test the value of this approach in the context of the SNAP program.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Misra, Sanjog. 2020. "Algorithmic Nudges." AEA RCT Registry. October 27. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.6660-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
The intervention involves the construction and sending of algorithmically targeted messages (via sms and email) to those SNAP participants who consented to receiving a reminder. The messages remind the participants that they need to fill out the SAR 7 update form to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
Intervention Start Date
2020-11-01
Intervention End Date
2020-11-07

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
SNAP SAR 7 Update filings.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Duration between reminder and action.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The experiment has four treatments arms:
(1) Control/Status Quo nudge decided by and used by Code for America
(2) Random (Random allocation of nudges derived from optimal design theory)
(3) Optimal (Model based optimal message - estimated using pilot data)
(4) Algorithmic (Model based targeted messages - estimated using pilot data)

Assignment to arms is random with 10%,10%, 30% and 50% to each of the arms listed above.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Done by computer.
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
9966 individuals planned but will depend on how many become eligible.
Sample size: planned number of observations
9966 individuals planned but will depend on how many are actually eligible.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Control: 996
Optimal: 997
Randomized: 2992
Algorithmic: 4981
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials

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

Request Information
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
University of Chicago IRB
IRB Approval Date
2020-09-29
IRB Approval Number
IRB20-0834
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