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Is a non-representative convenience sample of adults good enough? Insights from an economic experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Sean F. Ellis

    (Behavior Change for Good, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)

  • Olesya M. Savchenko

    (University of Florida)

  • Kent D. Messer

    (University of Delaware)

Abstract

Recruitment of representative and generalizable adult samples is a major challenge for researchers conducting economic field experiments. Limited access to representative samples or the high cost of obtaining them often leads to the recruitment of non-representative convenience samples. This research compares the findings from two field experiments involving 860 adults: one from a non-representative in-person convenience sample and one from a representative online counterpart. We find no meaningful differences in the key behaviors of interest between the two samples. These findings contribute to a growing body of literature demonstrating that non-representative convenience samples can be sufficient in certain contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Sean F. Ellis & Olesya M. Savchenko & Kent D. Messer, 2023. "Is a non-representative convenience sample of adults good enough? Insights from an economic experiment," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 9(2), pages 293-307, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:9:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s40881-023-00135-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-023-00135-5
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-representative convenience sampling; Field experiments; Online recruitment; Representative sampling;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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