Pre-Registration and Pre-Analysis Plans in Experimental Economics

Taisuke Imai (), Séverine Toussaert (), Aurélien Baillon (), Anna Dreber Almenberg (), Seda Ertaç (), Magnus Johannesson, Levent Neyse () and Marie Claire Villeval ()
Additional contact information
Taisuke Imai: Osaka University
Séverine Toussaert: University of Oxford
Aurélien Baillon: EMLYON Business School
Anna Dreber Almenberg: Stockholm School of Economics
Seda Ertaç: Koc University
Levent Neyse: DIW Berlin
Marie Claire Villeval: CNRS

No 17821, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The open science movement has gained significant momentum over the past decade, with pre-registration and the use of pre-analysis plans being central to ongoing debates. Combining observational evidence on trends in adoption with survey data from 519 researchers, this study examines the adoption of pre-registration in experimental economics. Pooling statistics from 19 leading journals published between 2017 and 2023, we observe that the number of papers containing a pre-registration grew from seven per year to 190 per year. Our findings indicate that pre-registration has now become mainstream in experimental economics, with two-thirds of respondents expressing favorable views and 86% having pre-registered at least one study. However, opinions are divided on the scope and comprehensiveness of pre-registration, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines. Researchers assign a credibility premium to pre-registered tests, although the exact channels remain to be understood. Our results suggest growing support for open science practices among experimental economists, with demand for professional associations to guide researchers and reviewers on best practices for pre-registration and other open science initiatives.

Keywords: pre-registration; pre-analysis plans; experimental economics; open science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A14 C12 C18 C80 C90 I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-04
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Working Paper: Pre-Registration and Pre-Analysis Plans in Experimental Economics (2025)
Working Paper: Pre-Registration and Pre-Analysis Plans in Experimental Economics (2025)
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