Using technology to reduce learning costs and improve program comprehension: Lessons from a survey experiment on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
通过一项预注册调查实验,测试了传单、筛选工具和视频三种方式在帮助公众理解补充营养援助计划(SNAP)资格方面的效果,发现视频比传单和筛选工具更能提高理解记忆,但效果不因家庭收入而异。
Abstract The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to those in need, and while the program reaches many who are eligible, program participation falls short of reaching all who are eligible. One factor contributing to this gap in participation is difficulty understanding program eligibility, a common challenge with means‐tested benefit programs. Governments have attempted to improve public understanding of these complex programs using a range of tools to reduce learning costs, yet we know little about the extent to which these tools work and why. This preregistered survey experiment tests three commonly used methods of communicating SNAP program information, including a flyer, screening tool, and video. Cumulatively, our findings demonstrate that efforts to reduce SNAP learning costs are generally effective at improving comprehension recall and that the type of intervention matters, with the video increasing comprehension scores more than the flyer and screening tool. However, the impact of the intervention does not vary substantially according to household income.