Controlled and Representative: The Complementarity of Lab and Field Data (Kontrolliert und repraesentativ: Beispiele zur Komplementaritaet von Labor- und Felddaten)

28 Pages Posted: 23 Apr 2009

See all articles by Armin Falk

Armin Falk

University of Bonn - Economic Science Area; briq - Institute on Behavior & Inequality

Thomas J. Dohmen

Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA); Maastricht University - Business Investment Research Center (BIRC)

Uwe Sunde

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

Date Written: April 1, 2009

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the complementarity of laboratory and field data. Experiments offer highly controlled environments that allow precise testing and causal inferences. Survey and field data on the other hand provide information on large and representative samples of people interacting in their natural environment. We discuss several concrete examples how to combine lab and field data and how to exploit potential complementarities. One example describes an experiment, which is run with a representative sample to guarantee control and representativeness. The second example is based on the idea to experimentally validate survey instruments to ensure behavioral validity of instruments that can be used in existing panel data sets. The third example describes the possibility to use the lab to identify causal effects, which are tested in large data sets. Topics discussed in this paper comprise the relation of cognitive skills (IQ) and risk and time preferences, determinants, prevalence and economic consequences of risk attitudes, selection into incentive schemes and the impact of unfair pay on stress.

Note: Downloadable document is in German.

Suggested Citation

Falk, Armin and Dohmen, Thomas and Sunde, Uwe, Controlled and Representative: The Complementarity of Lab and Field Data (Kontrolliert und repraesentativ: Beispiele zur Komplementaritaet von Labor- und Felddaten) (April 1, 2009). SOEP Paper No. 168, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1393325 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1393325

Armin Falk (Contact Author)

University of Bonn - Economic Science Area ( email )

briq - Institute on Behavior & Inequality

Schaumburg-Lippe-Straße 5-9
Bonn, 53113
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.briq-institute.org/

Thomas Dohmen

Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) ( email )

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Maastricht University - Business Investment Research Center (BIRC) ( email )

P.O. Box 616
Maastricht, 6200 MD
Netherlands
+31-43-388 3832 (Phone)
+31-43-388 4856 (Fax)

Uwe Sunde

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) ( email )

Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
Munich, DE Bavaria 80539
Germany

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