Experiment Protocol Economist in Senegal Dakar –Free Word Template Download with AI
Location: Senegal Dakar (Plateau, Parcelles Assainies, and Pikine Districts)
Discipline: Development Economics / Behavioral Economics
Version: 1.0 | Date: October 2023
This Experiment Protocol outlines the methodology for a field study conducted by a team of professional Economists in Senegal Dakar. The study aims to bridge the gap between theoretical economic models and the lived realities of urban populations in West Africa. Dakar, as the economic hub of Senegal, presents a unique environment characterized by a vibrant informal economy, high mobile money penetration, and diverse socio-economic strata.
The Economist leading this study posits that traditional models of rational choice may not fully capture the financial behaviors of Dakar's residents due to liquidity constraints, social norms, and behavioral biases. By implementing a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we seek to generate empirical data that can inform policy recommendations for financial inclusion and poverty alleviation in Senegal.
The primary research questions guiding this protocol are:
- How does the framing of financial incentives affect savings behavior among low-income households in Senegal Dakar?
- What is the impact of social proof (peer influence) on the adoption of micro-insurance products?
- Does the method of payment (cash vs. mobile money) influence risk aversion in investment decisions?
The study will utilize a between-subjects experimental design. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups or a control group. The Economist will oversee the randomization process to ensure statistical validity and minimize selection bias.
3.1 Target Population
The sample will consist of 600 adults (aged 18-60) residing in Senegal Dakar. Recruitment will focus on three distinct areas to capture urban diversity:
- Plateau: Formal sector workers and civil servants.
- Parcelles Assainies: Mixed-income residential areas with small business owners.
- Pikine: High-density informal settlements with a predominance of informal laborers.
3.2 Experimental Treatments
| Group | Intervention | Hypothesis |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Standard information session on financial products. | Baseline behavior without external nudges. |
| Treatment A (Commitment) | Access to a commitment savings device via mobile money. | Commitment devices increase long-term savings rates. |
| Treatment B (Social Norms) | Information highlighting high adoption rates among peers. | Social proof reduces hesitation in adopting new financial tools. |
| Treatment C (Framing) | Financial options framed as "loss avoidance" rather than "gain." | Loss aversion drives higher participation in insurance schemes. |
4.1 Recruitment and Consent
Field agents, trained by the lead Economist, will approach potential participants in public spaces and community centers in Senegal Dakar. Informed consent will be obtained in both French and Wolof to ensure full comprehension. Participants will be informed that their participation is voluntary and that they may withdraw at any time without penalty.
4.2 Experimental Tasks
Upon consent, participants will complete a series of incentivized decision-making tasks on tablets. These tasks are designed to measure:
- Risk Preferences: Using the Holt-Laury multiple price list method.
- Time Preferences: Choosing between immediate smaller rewards and delayed larger rewards.
- Trust and Reciprocity: A modified trust game involving real monetary stakes.
All monetary rewards will be paid in CFA Francs (XOF) immediately after the session to ensure credibility and liquidity for the participants.
4.3 Data Collection
Data will be collected digitally to minimize entry errors. The Economist will ensure that all data is anonymized and stored securely in compliance with Senegalese data protection laws. Demographic data including age, gender, education level, occupation, and household income will be recorded to allow for subgroup analysis.
This protocol adheres strictly to the ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects. Key considerations include:
- Deception: Minimal deception will be used, and full debriefing will occur immediately after the experiment.
- Coercion: No undue influence will be exerted. The monetary compensation will be fair but not so high as to be coercive.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The Economist and field team will respect local customs and religious practices in Senegal Dakar. Sessions will be scheduled to avoid prayer times.
The Economist will employ econometric techniques to analyze the data. Primary analysis will involve Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to estimate the treatment effects on the outcome variables. Robust standard errors will be clustered at the community level to account for potential correlation within neighborhoods in Senegal Dakar. Subgroup analyses will be conducted to examine heterogeneity in treatment effects across gender and income levels.
Duration: 6 Months
- Months 1-2: Protocol finalization, ethics approval, and team training in Dakar.
- Months 3-4: Fieldwork and data collection.
- Months 5-6: Data cleaning, analysis, and report writing.
The budget covers personnel salaries, participant incentives, equipment (tablets), transportation within Senegal Dakar, and data management costs.
Note: This protocol is subject to revision based on feedback from the ethics committee and preliminary pilot testing in Senegal Dakar. The lead Economist retains the authority to modify procedures to ensure the integrity and safety of the study. ⬇️ Download as DOCX Edit online as DOCXCreate your own Word template with our GoGPT AI prompt:
GoGPT