nep-nud 2026-01-26 papers

on Nudge and Boosting

Issue of 2026–01–26
two papers chosen by
Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale

Do Academic Honesty Statements Work? By James Alm; Patrick Button; Christine P. Smith; Toni Weiss
Nudges in a simulated environment and their effects on the use of resilience-enhancing technologies By Ospina, Ana M.; Malacarne, J.G.; Boucher, Stephen R.; Manuel, Lourenco; Popat, Meizal; Jones, Rachel

By:	James Alm (Tulane University); Patrick Button (Tulane University); Christine P. Smith (Tulane University); Toni Weiss (Tulane University)
Abstract:	Many colleges have attempted to deal with student cheating by using "academic honesty statements, " or statements that students must read and acknowledge that they will follow. In this paper, we conduct a randomized controlled experiment that investigates the impact of academic honesty statements on college student examination performance, using an objective measure of student examination performance as a proxy for student cheating. Overall, we find no statistically significant differences in the test performance of students who are given the academic honesty statements and students who are not given these statements. These results indicate that academic honesty statements do not affect student performance in a significant way, so that their use is unlikely to be a reliable tool in reducing cheating. However, other explanations are possible.
Keywords:	Student cheating; academic misconduct; academic integrity; nudges; priming; randomized control trial
JEL:	A22 I21 C93
Date:	2025–11
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tul:wpaper:2510

Nudges in a simulated environment and their effects on the use of resilience-enhancing technologies

By:	Ospina, Ana M.; Malacarne, J.G.; Boucher, Stephen R.; Manuel, Lourenco; Popat, Meizal; Jones, Rachel
Abstract:	For small holding farmers, learning about new technologies often means risking household resources. This paper reports on efforts to overcome this barrier using a tablet-based game. The game allows farmers to experiment with drought tolerant maize and index insurance in a low-cost environment. In a sample of 235 farmers in Manica Province, Mozambique, we find that experiencing drought in one round of the game is associated with a statistically significantly increase in adoption of the technologies in subsequent rounds. Highlighting the effects of drought on the farmer’s family and community, also increased adoption of the risk management technologies.
Keywords:	International Development
Date:	2025
URL:	https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea25:360991

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