Consumer policy is informed by human behaviour but how do we measure this in a cost effective and relevant way?
Online experiments help us focus our policy making decisions to act in consumers interests.
Summary
The use of online experiments for behaviourally informed policy making is on the rise. In this paper, we discuss how these experiments can be used to investigate consumer behaviour in different settings.
We have started to use online experiments more frequently in recent years for consumer policy, and other regulators regularly look to us for our policy research methods.
We will look to further develop and discuss consumer policy research to improve consumer outcomes and welfare.
Authors
Jeroen Nieboer works in the FCA’s Behavioural Economics and Design Unit and is a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics.
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