Megastudies improve the impact of applied behavioural science

Millions of Europeans use online platforms with almost blind trust that the platforms operate in the interests of the consumer. However, the presentation of search results, transparency about contractual parties and the publication of user reviews that contribute to the value of online platforms in Europe’s Single Digital Market also pose significant risks regarding consumer protection and market competition. The current study investigates how enhanced information transparency in online platforms might affect consumers’ trust in online activities and choice behaviour.Following an exploratory qualitative study, three online discrete choice experiments were conducted with representative samples of 1200 respondents in each of four countries - Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK. The objective of the experiments was to test whether increased transparency in the presentation of online search information, details of contractual entities and the implications for consumer protection, and user reviews and ratings would affect consumers’ choices. The results show that increased online transparency increases the probability of product selection. A comparison across the four countries found that the similarities in responses to online transparency were far greater than the differences. The findings are discussed in relation to biases and heuristics identified in behavioural science. In conclusion recommendations are made to increase online transparency which the empirical evidence of this study shows would benefit both users and platform operators.

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The impact of online platform transparency of information on consumers’ choices

Behavioural Public Policy ◽

10.1017/bpp.2020.11 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

GIUSEPPE A. VELTRI ◽

FRANCISCO LUPIÁÑEZ-VILLANUEVA ◽

FRANS FOLKVORD ◽

ALEXANDRA THEBEN ◽

GEORGE GASKELL

Keyword(s):

Consumer Protection ◽

Market Competition ◽

Discrete Choice Experiments ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

User Reviews ◽

Information Transparency ◽

Online Platforms ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact ◽

Biases And Heuristics

Abstract Millions of Europeans use online platforms with almost blind trust that the platforms operate in the interests of the consumer. However, the presentation of search results, transparency about contractual parties and the publication of user reviews that contribute to the value of online platforms in Europe's Single Digital Market also pose significant risks regarding consumer protection and market competition. The current study investigates how enhanced information transparency in online platforms might affect consumers’ trust in online activities and choice behaviour. Following an exploratory qualitative study, three online discrete-choice experiments were conducted with representative samples of 1200 respondents in each of four countries: Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK. The objective of the experiments was to test whether increased transparency in the presentation of online search information, details of contractual entities and the implications for consumer protection and user reviews and ratings would affect consumers’ choices. The results show that increased online transparency increases the probability of product selection. A comparison across the four countries found that the similarities in responses to online transparency were far greater than the differences. The findings are discussed in relation to the biases and heuristics identified in behavioural science. In conclusion, recommendations are made to increase online transparency, which the empirical evidence of this study shows would benefit both users and platform operators.

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Research Engagement with Policy Makers: a practical guide to writing policy briefs

10.31219/osf.io/m25qp ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vivi Antonopoulou ◽

paul chadwick ◽

O McGee ◽

Falko Sniehotta ◽

Fabiana Lorencatto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Policy Research ◽

Research Unit ◽

Policy Formation ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Research Engagement ◽

Effective Policy ◽

Evidence Summaries ◽

The Impact

Effective communication between academics and policy makers plays an important role in informing political decision making and creating impact for researchers. Policy briefs are short evidence summaries written by researchers to inform the development or implementation of policy. This guide has been developed to support researchers to write effective policy briefs. It is jointly produced by the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural Science (BehSciPRU) and the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change (CBC). It has been written in consultation with policy advisers and synthesises current evidence and expert opinion on what makes an effective policy brief. It is for any researcher who wishes to increase the impact of their work by activity that may influence the process of policy formation, implementation or evaluation. Whilst the guide has been written primarily for a UK audience, it is hoped that it will be useful to researchers in other countries.

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Evaluating the impact of a very low-cost intervention to increase practices’ engagement with data and change prescribing behaviour: a randomized trial in English primary care

Family Practice ◽

10.1093/fampra/cmaa128 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Helen J Curtis ◽

Seb Bacon ◽

Richard Croker ◽

Alex J Walker ◽

Rafael Perera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Low Cost ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Prescribing Practices ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Prescribing Behaviour ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Unsolicited feedback can solicit changes in prescribing. Objectives Determine whether a low-cost intervention increases clinicians’ engagement with data, and changes prescribing; with or without behavioural science techniques. Methods Randomized trial (ISRCTN86418238). The highest prescribing practices in England for broad-spectrum antibiotics were allocated to: feedback with behavioural impact optimization; plain feedback; or no intervention. Feedback was sent monthly for 3 months by letter, fax and email. Each included a link to a prescribing dashboard. The primary outcomes were dashboard usage and change in prescribing. Results A total of 1401 practices were randomized: 356 behavioural optimization, 347 plain feedback, and 698 control. For the primary engagement outcome, more intervention practices had their dashboards viewed compared with controls [65.7% versus 55.9%; RD 9.8%, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 4.76% to 14.9%, P < 0.001]. More plain feedback practices had their dashboard viewed than behavioural feedback practices (69.1% versus 62.4%); but not meeting the P < 0.05 threshold (6.8%, 95% CI: −0.19% to 13.8%, P = 0.069). For the primary prescribing outcome, intervention practices possibly reduced broad-spectrum prescribing to a greater extent than controls (1.42% versus 1.12%); but again not meeting the P < 0.05 threshold (coefficient −0.31%, CI: −0.7% to 0.1%, P = 0.104). The behavioural impact group reduced broad-spectrum prescribing to a greater extent than plain feedback practices (1.63% versus 1.20%; coefficient 0.41%, CI: 0.007% to 0.8%, P = 0.046). No harms were detected. Conclusions Unsolicited feedback increased practices’ engagement with data, with possible slightly reduced antibiotic prescribing (P = 0.104). Behavioural science techniques gave greater prescribing effects. The modest effects on prescribing may reflect saturation from similar initiatives on antibiotic prescribing. Clinical Trial Registration ISRCTN86418238.

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Applying behavioural science to increase uptake of the NHS Health Check: a randomised controlled trial of gain- and loss-framed messaging in the national patient information leaflet

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7754-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalie Gold ◽

Caroline Durlik ◽

Jet G. Sanders ◽

Katherine Thompson ◽

Tim Chadborn

Keyword(s):

Bayes Factor ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Random Effect ◽

Health Check ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Double Blind ◽

Related Condition ◽

Invitation Letter ◽

The Impact ◽

Nhs Health Check

Abstract Background The NHS Health Check (NHSHC) is a national programme for the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Patients aged 40–74 without an existing cardiovascular-related condition should be invited quinquennially. Uptake is lower than anticipated. We assessed the impact on uptake of two new behaviourally-enhanced leaflets (with the current national leaflet as a control), enclosed with the invitation letter: the first trial on the leaflet. Methods A double-blind three-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted. The new leaflets were shorter (two pages, instead of four); one was loss-framed (‘don’t miss out’) and the other was gain-framed (‘make the most of life’). The participants were patients from 39 practices in Lewisham and 17 practices in NE Lincolnshire, who were allocated to interventions using a random-number generator and received one of the leaflets with their invitation letter from April–September 2018. The outcome measure was uptake of an NHSHC by November 2018. The trial was powered to detect a 2% effect. Results Uptake was 17.6% in the control condition (n = 3677), 17.4% in the loss-framed condition (n = 3664), and 18.2% in the gain-framed condition (n = 3697). Leaflet type was not a significant predictor of NHSHC uptake in a logistic regression that controlled for demographic variables, with GP practice as a random effect. Statistically significant predictors of uptake included location (higher uptake in Lewisham), age (increased age was associated with increased attendance) and sex (higher uptake in females). The Bayes Factor comparing the null to a hypothesis of differences between conditions was 416, which is extreme evidence in favour of the null hypothesis. Conclusion There was no evidence for a meaningful effect of either a loss-framed or gain-framed behaviourally-informed leaflet type on uptake, which is surprising, given that behaviourally informed letters have improved uptake of NHSHCs. It is possible that people do not pay attention to leaflets that are enclosed with letters, or that the leaflet continues to support informed decision-making but this does not affect uptake. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03524131. Registered May 14, 2018. Retrospectively registered.

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Change the Humans First: Principles for Improving the Management of Free-Roaming Cats

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9080555 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 555 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Lynette J. McLeod ◽

Donald W. Hine ◽

Aaron B. Driver

Keyword(s):

Behaviour Change ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Ethical Framework ◽

Science Literature ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Technological Developments ◽

Urban And Rural Areas ◽

The Impact

In Australia, free-roaming cats can be found in urban and rural areas across the country. They are inherently difficult to manage but it is frequently human behaviour that demands the most attention and is in most need of change. To the frustration of policy makers and practitioners, scientific knowledge, technological developments, and legal and institutional innovations, often run afoul of insufficient public capacity, opportunity and motivation to act. This paper demonstrates how the behavioural science literature can provide important insights into maximising the impact of free-roaming cat control activities within an ethical framework that prioritises acting “with” all stakeholders, rather than “on” stakeholders. By better understanding how human values, attitudes and beliefs are shaped, practitioners can more effectively and respectfully interact with how people interpret the world around them, make choices and behave. This literature also has much to say about why certain types of media and marketing messages elicit behaviour change and why other types fall flat. Finally, in addition to explaining the behavioural science and its implications, this review provides researchers, policy makers and engagement specialists with an inclusive, practical framework for conceptualising behaviour change and working to ensure land managers, cat owners and the general public can agree on and adopt best practices for managing free-roaming cats.

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The impact of behavioural science on management

Electronics and Power ◽

10.1049/ep.1972.0072 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

P.J. Sadler

Keyword(s):

Behavioural Science ◽

The Impact

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Supporting antimicrobial stewardship in Ghana: evaluation of the impact of training on knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals in two hospitals

JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

10.1093/jacamr/dlaa092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Jacqueline Sneddon ◽

Lesley Cooper ◽

Daniel Kwame Afriyie ◽

Israel A Sefah ◽

Alison Cockburn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Municipal Hospital ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Before And After ◽

Survey Responses ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background A Commonwealth Partnership for Antimicrobial Stewardship was created between the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG), Ghana Police Hospital and Keta Municipal Hospital. During a scoping visit, requirements for implementing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), areas for improvement and training needs were identified. Methods A multidisciplinary team from SAPG and health psychologists from The Change Exchange developed and delivered multi-professional evidence-based teaching incorporating behavioural science, supported by partner pharmacists in each hospital. Four sessions were delivered over 2 days to 60 participants across both sites. Before and after the sessions, participants were asked to complete a knowledge quiz and a behaviours survey. Results were analysed using t-tests. Results Comparison of the participants’ pre- and post-test quiz scores (Keta Municipal Hospital 9.4 and 10.9, Ghana Police Hospital 9.2 and 11.1, respectively) demonstrated statistically significant improvement in knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate use of antibiotics. Comparison of survey responses before and after the education sessions indicated that the education had a positive impact on participants’ attitudes towards the issue of antimicrobial resistance, their role in AMS and confidence in using the Ghana Standard Treatment Guidelines. Participants were also more likely to question colleagues about compliance with guidelines. Forty-eight participants (80%) completed a training evaluation and all responded positively. Conclusions The education sessions appeared to be successful in improving knowledge and behaviours of hospital staff. Cascade of an abbreviated version of the training by partner pharmacists and AMS teams in Ghana will ensure that all staff have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to support AMS.

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Applying behavioural science to improve physicians’ ability to help people improve their own health behaviours

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.812 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

K Lavoie

Keyword(s):

Behaviour Change ◽

Health Behaviour ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Poor Health ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Physician Health ◽

The Impact

Abstract Issue/problem Poor health behaviours are at the centre of most non-communicable chronic diseases and account for a significant amount of morbidity and mortality. Healthcare professionals, and especially physicians, are in a unique position to be able to positively influence their patients and aid them in changing poor health behaviours. However, most physicians report having low confidence or a lack of skills to effectively achieve this. Description of the problem The main approach that physicians take to influence their patients’ poor health behaviours is to provide them with advice and evidence about the impact of the poor health behaviours. This strategy has been shown to have limited impact on changing patient behaviour. As such, there is a need to develop effective interventions that target changing physician health behaviour counselling behaviours, effectively, a behaviour change intervention for physicians so that they are better at helping patients change their behaviour. Results Using a structured stakeholder-oriented approach (the ORBIT model for developing behavioural interventions) we have systematically developed a robust behaviour change-based continuing medical education curriculum (leveraging motivational communication), and online assessment tool to improve physician competency. These were developed by a pan-Canadian team with notable international input through the IBTN. Lessons The use of a structured stakeholder-driven process, we have developed an intervention which seems to have greater relevancy to the target audience, lead to greater engagement, and a higher probability of implementation than a researcher led approach. Whilst the studies are still ongoing, it is anticipated that this intervention will be able to dramatically improve the health of individuals through effective health behaviour change interventions by healthcare professionals.

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Re-evaluating the Definition of Intelligence in Business Intelligence

GATR Journal of Management and Marketing Review - JMMR Vol 4(3) JUL-SEP 2019 ◽

10.35609/jmmr.2016.1.1(5) ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 33-44

Author(s):

Martin Daniel Ackermann ◽

John Andrew van der Poll ◽

Huibrecht Margaretha van der Poll

Keyword(s):

Business Intelligence ◽

Information Science ◽

Jel Classification ◽

Behavioural Science ◽

Initial Development ◽

Business Information ◽

Paper Review ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Impact ◽

Dikw Hierarchy

Objective - Business Intelligence has little bearing with graphs and dashboards of traditionally defined Business Intelligence. Rather it is all about experience and sound judgement of the person at the helm of the decision-making process. In line with this view, we evaluate and subsequently, reposition the current definition of Business Intelligence in the literature. Methodology/Technique - The initial development of the data, information, knowledge and wisdom (DIKW) hierarchy excluded intelligence and so it never questioned the accepted definition of Business Intelligence. The extended DIKIW hierarchy includes intelligence but we raise the question about the definition of intelligence in Business Intelligence. This paper positions the existing definition of Business Intelligence as Business Information instead, and so, it redefines traditional Business Intelligence. Findings – Applying the DIKIW hierarchy, the new definition of Business Intelligence is shown in equation as the transformation of "Business Data to Business Information to Business Knowledge to Business Intelligence to Business Wisdom". Novelty - The impact of the new definition of Business Intelligence is that it changes its meaning from one that belongs to information science into one that is a human behavioural science and profiling concept. It does not do away with the existing work in literature but it redefines Business Intelligence as belonging to the realm of Business Information. Type of Paper - Review Keywords: Business Intelligence; DIKW hierarchy; DIKIW hierarchy; Knowledge Management; Wisdom. JEL Classification: L25, M10

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