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"Experimental Research in African Politics" published on by Oxford University Press.

AbstractAt the heart of any healthy field are explicit theories and concerted efforts to test these theories. In the traditional "textbook" conceptualization of science, the main avenue for developing and testing theory is experimental research, a tool that enables investigators to filter out the noise in order to draw logically valid inferences and conclusions. The objective of this paper is to begin a probe into the use of experimental research in knowledge management (KM). After sketching an image of the nature of experimental research and its advantages, the paper details the results of an analysis of experimental research in the KM literature. The top 20 KM journals were searched in Scopus and Web of Science for any mention of the term "experiment." In total, 43 papers were identified based on their use of experimental methods and human participants. These studies were coded for purpose, research questions, hypotheses, operationalization of variables, sample parameters, and statistical analysis methods. There appeared to be little evidence for a dedicated and sustained use of experimental research methods. Virtually all studies relied heavily on self‐report questionnaires as the main data collection tool rather than direct behavioral measures. Potential implications are that KM journals may want to elicit and encourage more experimental research, and researchers interested in using experimental methods may want to forge multidisciplinary partnerships, for instance, with experimental psychologists. The implication for KM methodological pedagogy is to further promote and integrate experimental methods.

In Central and Eastern Europe, the presence of the civil sector has significantly increased since the early 90´s. To help the fundraising of the nonprofit sector they worked out tax allowances for the affected organisations and for supporters as well. One of these instruments is the percentage system, where taxpayers could dispose over 1 or 2 percent of their personal income. The author of this paper executed an experimental research project to explore how the percentage system could inspire altruistic behaviour of individuals and whether there is any crowding out effect of this kind of governmental contribution. The research is based on experimental research where the supply of public goods was observed with and without the possibility of the special form of contributions - the percentage system. Through the inquiry, groups have been examined through 10 rounds under two different situations to determine the Nash equilibrium with and without the presence of the percentage system. The experimenter´s role (illustrating the role of the government) was to multiply and reallocate contributions after being informed about individuals´ decisions. Consequently, this experiment showed that the introduction of the percentage system does not lower significantly the level of individual contributions from income. Moreover, a little increase could be observed in the first round of the experiment´s second part. Other thought-provoking situations occurred through the process like the difference between the behaviour of men and women such as their reaction to the new situation.

AbstractThe Standards Committee of the Experimental Research Section of the American Political Science Association has produced reporting guidelines that aim to increase the clarity of experimental research reports. This paper describes the Committee's rationale for the guidelines it developed and includes our Recommended Reporting Standards for Experiments (Laboratory, Field, Survey). It begins with a content analysis of current reporting practices in published experimental research. Although researchers report most important aspects of their experimental designs and data, we find substantial omissions that could undermine the clarity of research practices and the ability of researchers to assess the validity of study conclusions. With the need for reporting guidelines established, the report describes the process the Committee used to develop the guidelines, the feedback received during the comment period, and the rationale for the final version of the guidelines.

ABSTRACTSurvey and laboratory experiments are increasingly common in political science. Investment in experimental data collection comes with costs and benefits, particularly for graduate students and advisers. This article describes a set of institutionalized procedures we have adopted with the goal of capitalizing on the advantages that come with experimental research. This includes requiring planning documents, holding research-group meetings, and centralizing data collection. We conclude by discussing the limitations of our approach, ultimately highlighting the need for more disciplinary conversation about how to best structure research groups to produce quality research and advising.