What, Where, Who, and Why? An Empirical Investigation of Positionality in Political Science Field Experiments

9 Pages Posted: 10 Sep 2021 Last revised: 10 Sep 2021

Date Written: August 19, 2021

Abstract

Political scientists' positionality (own identities, beliefs and assumptions about the context of study) often receives an implicit nod in publications, but is rarely explicitly addressed. Field experiments as real-life social laboratories and the current `gold standard' technology of policy expertise occupy a unique place. To a much larger extent than other methods of social science research, `real world' experimentation entails actual economic or political stakes, complex ethical dimensions, demanding logistical costs and infrastructure, and, in an increasing number of cases, a direct link to decision-makers. This paper aims at providing a first empirical basis to discussions of positionality, as scientometric data on experimenter characteristics is currently missing.

Suggested Citation

Corduneanu Huci, Cristina and Dorsch, Michael and Maarek, Paul, What, Where, Who, and Why? An Empirical Investigation of Positionality in Political Science Field Experiments (August 19, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3919146 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3919146

Cristina Corduneanu Huci

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Michael Dorsch (Contact Author)

Central European University (CEU) ( email )

Quellenstrasse 51
Vienna, 1100
Austria

Paul Maarek

Banque de France ( email )

Paris
France

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