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Evaluating Online Data Collection Platforms Using A Simple Rule-Following Task

Author

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  • Suri, Dominik
  • Kube, Sebastian
  • Schultz, Johannes

Abstract

High-quality experimental data is crucial for human-subject research. The increasing prevalence of online experimental studies has raised concerns regarding the quality and reliability of data collected in such environments. Recent evidence indicates that data quality varies across popular crowdsourcing platforms. We test if this also holds for less complex, easily comprehensible tasks. We find that compliance rates in a simple rule-following task are significantly lower in our Amazon Mechanical Turk sample compared to those from Prolific Academic and a German university lab.

Suggested Citation

  • Suri, Dominik & Kube, Sebastian & Schultz, Johannes, 2025. "Evaluating Online Data Collection Platforms Using A Simple Rule-Following Task," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:255:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525003465
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112509
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon Gächter & Lucas Molleman & Daniele Nosenzo, 2025. "Why people follow rules," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(7), pages 1342-1354, July.
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    5. Benjamin D Douglas & Patrick J Ewell & Markus Brauer, 2023. "Data quality in online human-subjects research: Comparisons between MTurk, Prolific, CloudResearch, Qualtrics, and SONA," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bicchieri, Cristina & Gächter, Simon & Molleman, Lucas & Nosenzo, Daniele, 2025. "Group identity and peer effects in rule-following," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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