Deliberative Experiments

Deliberative Experiments are useful for examining the effectiveness of alternative messages.

Deliberative Experiments begin by interviewing a sample, ideally but not necessarily random.  The sample is then randomly divided into two or more treatment groups.  Different treatment groups receive different messages, composed of different arguments.  A simple example would be:

Treatment Group I: Receives message A
Treatment Group II: Receives contrasting message B
Treatment Group III: Receives both A and B
Control Group: Receives no messages

Finally, all the groups are interviewed again. This design can be elaborated to allow for reinforcing rather than contrasting messages or for both reinforcing and contrasting messages.