Students as Surrogates in Arbitration Studies

Abstract

Much of the current research into the field of arbitration typically employs student surrogate data to test hypothesis. The authors’ study places reservations upon the appropriateness of this data source for hypothesis testing by assessing the congruence of student decisions with actual arbitration awards. Training effects are demonstrated to be an intervening variable to be controlled for when comparing studies by different researchers in the field. In addition, the nature of the arbitration case itself appears to be an important determinant of student appropriateness as an arbitrator surrogate. Further research needs to explicitly controlled for training effects and differential case types in order to allow comparability of research results.