Challenges to Replication and Iteration in Field Experiments: Evidence from Two Direct Mail Shots

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2017
Volume: 107
Issue: 5
Pages: 462-65

Authors (5)

Jake Bowers (not in RePEc) Nathaniel Higgins (not in RePEc) Dean Karlan (Northwestern University) Sarah Tulman (not in RePEc) Jonathan Zinman (Dartmouth College)

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We conducted an experiment marketing microloans to farmers in the USA during Spring 2015 and found a simple direct mail letter increased borrowing from a government program. The subsequent spring, we built on this finding and enriched the design to test for information spillovers. The direct effect result did not replicate in the second year, thus lowering the likelihood that spillovers would be present and detectable. These results add to recent evidence on how (seemingly subtle) differences in context and treatment content affect consumer responses.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:107:y:2017:i:5:p:462-65
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25