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Do people really want to be informed? Ex-ante evaluations of information-campaign effectiveness

Author

Listed:
  • Romain Espinosa

    (CREM - Université de Rennes 1
    Rennes School of Business)

  • Jan Stoop

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

Abstract

We develop a method to assess population knowledge about any given topic. We define, and rationalize, types of beliefs that form the ‘knowledge spectrum’. Using a sample of over 7000 UK residents, we estimate these beliefs with respect to three topics: an animal-based diet, alcohol consumption and immigration. We construct an information-campaign effectiveness index (ICEI) that predicts the success of an information campaign. Information resistance is greatest for animal-based diets, and the ICEI is highest for immigration. We test the predictive power of our ICEI by simulating information campaigns, which produces supportive evidence. Our method can be used by any government or company that wants to explore the success of an information campaign.

Suggested Citation

  • Romain Espinosa & Jan Stoop, 2021. "Do people really want to be informed? Ex-ante evaluations of information-campaign effectiveness," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 24(4), pages 1131-1155, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:expeco:v:24:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10683-020-09692-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10683-020-09692-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information campaigns; Information resistance; Experiment; Diet; Alcohol; Immigration; Knowledge spectrum;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior

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