Incentivization of participants has been a pillar of experimental economics ever since Plott and Smith defined the basic precepts for experimental economics (Plott 1986, Smith 1982, 1991; Svorenčík & Maas 2016). There is good rationale for incentivized experiments, but recently there has been evidence that incentivization may not always matter. For example, the meta-analysis of Matousek et al (2022) suggests "that it does not matter systematically for the reported discount rates whether experiments use real or hypothetical rewards." (p.320).

This special issue of Experimental Economics is meant to report of the extent to which incentivization matters in economic experiments. We therefore invite manuscripts addressing all aspects of incentivization including the need for sufficient stakes. Manuscripts can report on studies using laboratory, online, or (artefactual) field experiments that systematically compare payment conditions, meta-analyses, or surveys of the relevant literature. Experiments should include some treatments where incentives are offered, per current journal requirements. Registered reports submissions are an option.

The current set of Experimental Economics editors will serve as editors. Submissions to the special issue will be judged according to the same standards as regular submissions. The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2025.

For more information on submitting your manuscript to Experimental Economics, check out our author instructions.

References

Matousek, J., Havranek, t., & Irsova, Z. (2022), Individual discount rates: a meta-analysis of experimental evidence. Experimental Economics, 25(1), 318-358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683...

Plott, C.R. (1986), Rational Choice in Experimental Markets. The Journal of Business, 59(4, part 2), S301-327.

Smith, V.L. (1982), Microeconomic Systems as an Experimental Science. The American Economic Review, 72(5), 923-955.

Smith, V.L. (1991), Rational Choice: The Contrast between Economics and Psychology. Journal of Political Economy, 99(4), 877-897.

Svorenčík, A. & H. Maas (2016). The Making of Experimental Economics: Witness Seminar on the Emergence of a Field. Springer.