Internet-based research methodologies for the study of time as a resource

Abstract

This dissertation examines Internet-based research methodologies and their application to the analysis of time as a behavioral resource in decision-making processes. Time, like money, is a limited resource and plays a central role in behavioral economics and psychology. This thesis analyzes how individuals allocate and prioritize their time across different contexts. It employs Internet-based methods to address key challenges in time-related research, including variability in temporal judgments, cultural differences, and concerns about external validity. The dissertation comprises four empirical studies. Research Paper 1 presents a replication project on the mental accounting of money, providing evidence that Internet-based replication projects enhance the robustness and generalizability of findings. Research Paper 2 investigates mental accounting of time by examining individuals’ likelihood to attend rescheduled events in three online experiments. Research Paper 3 reports a large-scale cross-cultural study conducted in 93 countries. It analyzes the predictors of time spent on beauty-enhancing behaviors. The findings provide insights into the different use of time as a behavioral resource in different populations by examining various individual, social, and cultural factors. Finally, Research Paper 4 employs the experience sampling method, integrated with an experimental approach, to investigate temporal discounting and preference reversal in time allocated to tasks. The results show that the subjective value of time associated with tasks fluctuates by task deadline and magnitude. This dissertation offers empirical support for the advantages of Internet-based methodologies in investigating time as a behavioral resource across various research domains. It provides methodological guidance and illustrates how Internet-based methodologies can enhance scalability, diversity, and external validity in studies of time-related decision-making. The findings contribute to advancing knowledge on how individuals allocate and prioritize their time in everyday life.