Biased Beliefs and Entry into Scientific Careers

Arbeitspapier

We investigate whether excessively optimistic beliefs may play a role in the persistent demand for doctoral and post-doctoral training in science. We elicit the beliefs and career preferences of doctoral students through a novel survey and randomize the provision of structured information on the true state of the academic market and information through role models on non-academic careers. One year later, both treatments lead students to update their beliefs about the academic market and impact career preferences. However, we do not find an effect on actual career outcomes 2 years post-intervention.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 13475

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Higher Education; Research Institutions ; Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty: General ; Expectations; Speculations ; Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
• Subject: career preferences ; biased beliefs ; information ; higher education ; science

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Ganguli, Ina ; Gaule, Patrick ; Čugalj, Danijela Vuletić
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2020

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/223917
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET