Being surveyed can change later behavior and related parameter estimates.
Does completing a household survey change the later behavior of those surveyed? In three field studies of health and two of microlending, we randomly assigned subjects to be surveyed about health and/or household finances and then measured subsequent use of a related product with data that does not rely on subjects' self-reports. In the three health experiments, we find that being surveyed increases use of water treatment products and take-up of medical insurance. Frequent surveys on reported diarrhea also led to biased estimates of the impact of improved source water quality. In two microlending studies, we do not find an effect of being surveyed on borrowing behavior. The results suggest that limited attention could play an important but context-dependent role in consumer choice, with the implication that researchers should reconsider whether, how, and how much to survey their subjects.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA 98102-3706, USA.
Alix Peterson
AP
Zwane
Jonathan
J
Zinman
Eric
E
Van Dusen
William
W
Pariente
Clair
C
Null
Edward
E
Miguel
Michael
M
Kremer
Dean S
DS
Karlan
Richard
R
Hornbeck
Xavier
X
Giné
Esther
E
Duflo
Florencia
F
Devoto
Bruno
B
Crepon
Abhijit
A
Banerjee
D001519:Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans
BMC Med Res Methodol. 2007 Jul 03;7:30
17608932
BMC Health Serv Res. 2007 Apr 17;7:55
17439645
J Exp Psychol Appl. 2000 Sep;6(3):195-206
11014052
Psychol Bull. 2006 Mar;132(2):249-68
16536643
BMJ. 2007 Apr 14;334(7597):782
17353208
J Pers Soc Psychol. 2001 Dec;81(6):1014-27
11761304
Psychol Sci. 2006 Mar;17(3):207-13
16507060
J Consum Psychol. 2008 Apr 1;18(2):82-95
23750098
Q J Econ. 2011;126(1):145-205
21853618