High hurdle

Type

Versatility

Definition

"High hurdle" experiments involve deliberately making it more difficult for participants to participate in an experiment, thereby selecting for individuals with higher levels of motivation or interest. Experiments can be a valuable tool for gathering in-depth data from highly motivated participants. However, it's crucial to carefully consider the potential biases and ethical implications before employing such methods.

Examples of "high hurdles" include filling out lengthy surveys, going through cumbersome processes, or waiting extended periods of time before accessing content.

By observing whether users are willing to overcome these challenges, we can gain insight into how much they truly value the proposed solution.

Example

1. Time-consuming participation:

• Online survey with a long completion time: Requiring 30 minutes or more to complete a survey filters out casual participants and attracts those genuinely interested in the topic.

2. Challenging tasks or requirements:

• Complex puzzles or problem-solving exercises: Assessing participants' willingness and ability to navigate difficult tasks reveals deeper engagement and cognitive skills. Challenging tasks or requirements:

3. Financial incentives with high participation thresholds:

• High bonus reward only for reaching a specific completion level: Motivates participants to exert more effort and potentially reveals intrinsic interest beyond just the reward.