Work

Monetary incentives and self-chosen goals in academic performance: An experimental study

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: This paper analyzes the effect of incentive-compatible self-chosen goals on academic performance by means of a randomized field experiment. We use two alternative payment mechanisms, a piece-rate and a rank-order tournament, to motivate students depending on their absolute or relative academic performance respectively. Students enrolled in Introductory Microeconomics were classified in two types depending on whether they had a failed background in this course (returning students) or they had not (new students). Controlling for potential confounding factors such as gender, degree, professor and university entrance grade, we find that both payment mechanisms are effective increasing grades of new and returning students.

Source: International Review of Economics Education

DOI: 10.1016/j.iree.2018.02.002

Authors: Noemí Herranz-Zarzoso, Gerardo Sabater-Grande

Institution: Universitat Jaume I

Language: English

Topic: Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,860