Uncertainty in a Borderline: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Shinya Kajitani (), Keiichi Morimoto (), Shiba Suzuki () and Suzuki Shiba ()
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Shinya Kajitani: Meisei University and University of Melbourne
Shiba Suzuki: Faculty of Economics, Seikei University
Suzuki Shiba: Faculty of Economics, Seikei University
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Shiba Suzuki

No 30, Discussion Papers from Meisei University, School of Economics

Abstract: Using a theoretical and experimental approach, this paper investigates the role of borderline uncertainty between success and failure in determining the input of effort by university students. By conducting a randomized experiment in an actual economics course in a Japanese university, we demonstrate that rank information feedback improves the performance of students with only average scores in the midterm examination, but harms the performance of high achieving students. We also construct a theoretical model of an uncertain borderline to interpret the experimental results. Our contribution is to demonstrate that the rank information can relate to the recognition of the borderline. In this case, the rank information feedback acting as an incentive scheme should vary for different types of students as a way to improve their motivation to learn.

Keywords: education; experiment; information feedback; relative rank; borderline (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 D03 D81 I21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2015-04
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:mei:wpaper:30

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