Computational Experiments in Candidate Evaluation and Vote Choice

本研究结合行为决策理论和计算模型的研究方法，探索投票的过程理论。将调查数据与计算机模拟相结合，在所谓的计算实验中，研究人员可以比较和评价候选人评价和选择的过程理论。研究人员使用这种方法进行了五个实验研究，以考察候选人评价过程中的重要问题，包括问题复杂性(候选人是否合格或简单地陈述他们的职位)、信息顺序、呈现格式以及候选人的特质推断对候选人评价的影响。这一独特的调查使我们在理解问题和特质在候选人评估和候选人选择中的影响方面取得了重大的方法论进步。

This research investigation brings together research and methods from behavioral decision theory and computational modeling to explore process theories of voting. Combining survey data with computer simulations, in what is called computational experiments, the investigators can compare and evaluate process theories of candidate evaluation and choice. The investigators undertake five experimenal studies using this method to investigate important isssues in the candidate evaluation process, including the impact of issue complexity (whether candidates qualify their positions or state them simply), information order, presentation format, and the affect of trait inferences of candidates on the evaluation of the candidates. This unique investigation allows significant methodological advances in our understanding of the affect of issue and trait in candidate evaluation and candidate selection.