Multi-Media Learning and Experimental Economics Instructions

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of pre-experiment tasks on subject understanding. It used a 2x2 design varying the type of instructions and whether or not the pre-experiment quiz was incentivized. The Standard instructions were written closely replicate instructions used in prior economics experiments. The other was written using techniques from the Multi-Media Learning literature, which aims to find ways to maximize subject understanding from instruction. After the pre-experiment procedures, subjects participated in ten modified Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) selling markets with induced valuations. Neither Multi-Media Learning Instructions nor an Incentivized pre-experiment quiz were found to increase subject understanding of the BDM mechanism.

Keywords: Methodology, Instructions, Multi-Media Learning, BDM

JEL Classification: C90, C91, D81, D91