Challenges and Opportunities of Developing an Online Public Goods Game Experiment

• In Event: Online Experiments: Methods, Opportunities, and Challenges

Abstract

The current paper focuses on the production and evolution of an online public goods game experiment using the Volunteer Science platform. More specifically, we detail the (1) opportunities, (2) challenges, and (3) results of the experiment. With respect to opportunities, the online platform offered considerable advantages regarding space, time, and experimental design. Because the experiment was implemented in cyberspace rather than physical space, it circumvented the burdens of hosting the recruited subjects. Instead, subjects only needed functional internet access to participate and could complete the task in the convenience of their own home. As opposed to traditional experiments implemented at a specific time, the current experiment did not require a designated time. Additionally, because of the potential to recruit a large number of subjects, the experimental design was flexible enough to include multiple manipulations, a feature that is limited in most other public goods experiments.
The implementation of the online experiment was not without its challenges. The main obstacle was experimental mapping, or making sure the experimental task was as clear as if subjects were in a real-time physical lab space with experimental researchers explaining the instructions. To address this challenge, we produced an animated video that explains the task of the experiment.
In addition to an overview of key challenges and opportunities, this study presents the main results of the research. We detail how that work contributes to new theory, research, and practical management of public goods.

Authors

• Andrew Nicholas Pilny, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Marshall Scott Poole, U of Illinois