Games and Fieldwork in Agriculture: A Systematic Review of the 21st Century in Economics and Social Science

J. Nicolas Hernandez-Aguilera, Max Mauerman, Alexandra Herrera, Kathryn Vasilaky, Walter Baethgen, Ana Maria Loboguerrero, Rahel Diro, Yohana Tesfamariam Tekeste and Daniel Osgood
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J. Nicolas Hernandez-Aguilera: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Max Mauerman: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Alexandra Herrera: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Kathryn Vasilaky: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Walter Baethgen: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Ana Maria Loboguerrero: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security and International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Cali 760032, Colombia
Rahel Diro: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Yohana Tesfamariam Tekeste: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Daniel Osgood: International Research Institute for Climate & Society, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA

Games, 2020, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: Games are particularly relevant for field research in agriculture, where alternative experimental designs can be costly and unfeasible. Games are also popular for non-experimental purposes such as recreating learning experiences and facilitating dialogue with local communities. After a systematic review of the literature, we found that the volume of published studies employing coordination and cooperation games increased during the 2000–2020 period. In recent years, more attention has been given to the areas of natural resource management, conservation, and ecology, particularly in regions important to agricultural sustainability. Other games, such as trust and risk games, have come to be regarded as standards of artefactual and framed field experiments in agriculture. Regardless of their scope, most games’ results are subject to criticism for their internal and external validity. In particular, a significant portion of the games reviewed here reveal recruitment biases towards women and provide few opportunities for continued impact assessment. However, games’ validity should be judged on a case-by-case basis. Specific cultural aspects of games might reflect the real context, and generalizing games’ conclusions to different settings is often constrained by cost and utility. Overall, games in agriculture could benefit from more significant, frequent, and inclusive experiments and data—all possibilities offered by digital technology. Present-day physical distance restrictions may accelerate this shift. New technologies and engaging mediums to approach farmers might present a turning point for integrating experimental and non-experimental games for agriculture in the 21st century.

Keywords: review; games; field experiments; participatory processes; agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C C7 C70 C71 C72 C73 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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