An experiment to Examine the Effect of the Internet on Collective Action (in partnership with Oxford Internet Institute)
Project Description
We test the idea that the interactivity of the internet may affect the willingness to participate in e-petitions.
Progress to date
We have done a randomised controlled trial of 668 subjects invited to participate on a specially constructed e-petition site, allocated to a control group, and three treatment groups. The treatment groups are presented with varied information on the numbers of other petitioners: there are low, middle and high numbers groups seeing the same petitions. The control group receive no information about other petitioners. There are pre and post surveys. We have completed the surveys, and have undertaken an initial analysis of the results.
Preliminary findings
We show that the large group experiences an uplift in participation of about seven per cent, associated with awareness that over a million other people have participated. We are investigating the impact for the other treatment groups.
Next steps
We carry out further analysis of the surveys and write up as a paper
Outputs
Link to paper presented at PSA Conference April 2009
Link paper presented to ECPR Conference 2009
Helen Margetts, Oxford Internet Institute
Peter John, The University of Manchester
October 2008
