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Article
Search and active learning with correlated information: Empirical evidence from mid-Atlantic clam fishermen
Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control
  • Philippe Marcoul, Iowa State University
  • Quinn Weninger, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Submitted Manuscript
Publication Date
6-1-2008
DOI
10.1016/j.jedc.2007.07.003
Abstract

This paper examines search with active learning and correlated information. We first develop a simple model to show how correlation affects the decision to acquire information. A unique data set on fishing site choice by mid-Atlantic clam fishermen is used to test the model predictions. Results find that clam fishermen search new sites when the catch at familiar sites declines, i.e., when the opportunity cost of gathering information is low, and also when catch at familiar sites is on the rise. Search following a catch decline occurs at spatially distant sites whereas search following a catch increase occurs at nearby sites. Correlated learning is crucial for explaining the site choice patterns in our data. These results provide new insights that may extend to a variety of economic search problems where correlated learning is important.

Comments

This working paper was published in Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 32 (2008): 1921–1948, doi:10.1016/j.jedc.2007.07.003. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
Elsevier B.V.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Philippe Marcoul and Quinn Weninger. "Search and active learning with correlated information: Empirical evidence from mid-Atlantic clam fishermen" Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control Vol. 32 Iss. 6 (2008) p. 1921 - 1948
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/quinn-weninger/29/