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Being surveyed can change later behavior and related parameter estimates
Alix Peterson Zwane1, Jonathan Zinman, Eric Van Dusen
1The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA 98102-3706, USA.
Summary
Household surveys can alter participant behavior, especially in health contexts, influencing product use and insurance uptake. Researchers should carefully consider survey design to avoid impacting study outcomes and consumer choices.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Consumer Behavior
- Health Economics
Background:
- Household surveys are common research tools.
- Potential for surveys to influence participant behavior is not well understood.
- Limited attention is a key factor in consumer decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether completing a household survey impacts subsequent participant behavior.
- To examine the influence of surveys on health product usage and microlending.
- To assess the role of limited attention in survey-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Three field studies on health behaviors and two on microlending were conducted.
- Participants were randomly assigned to either a survey group or a control group.
- Subsequent behavior was measured using non-self-report data.
Main Results:
- Survey participation increased the use of water treatment products and medical insurance.
- Frequent health surveys led to biased estimates of water quality impacts.
- No significant effect of surveys on borrowing behavior was observed in microlending studies.
Conclusions:
- Survey participation can alter consumer behavior, particularly in health-related choices.
- Limited attention is a plausible mechanism driving these behavioral changes.
- Researchers must carefully consider survey methodology to mitigate potential biases and ethical concerns.
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