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Thoughts on randomised trials for evaluation of development: presentation to the Cairo evaluation clinic

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  • Dean Karlan

Abstract

The authors were asked to discuss specific methodological approaches to evaluating three hypothetical interventions. This article uses this forum to discuss three misperceptions about randomised trials. First, nobody argues that randomised trials are appropriate in all settings, and for all questions. Everyone agrees that asking the right question is the highest priority. Second, the decision about what to measure and how to measure it, that is, through qualitative or participatory methods versus quantitative survey or administrative data methods, is independent of the decision about whether to conduct a randomised trial. Third, randomised trials can be used to evaluate complex and dynamic processes, not just simple and static interventions. Evaluators should aim to answer the most important questions for future decisions, and to do so as reliably as possible. Reliability is improved with randomised trials, when feasible, and with attention to underlying theory and tests of why interventions work or fail so that lessons can be transferred as best as possible to other settings.

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  • Dean Karlan, 2009. "Thoughts on randomised trials for evaluation of development: presentation to the Cairo evaluation clinic," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(3), pages 237-242.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevef:v:1:y:2009:i:3:p:237-242
    DOI: 10.1080/19439340903134519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia Rogers, 2009. "Matching impact evaluation design to the nature of the intervention and the purpose of the evaluation," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(3), pages 217-226.
    2. Raghabendra Chattopadhyay & Esther Duflo, 2004. "Women as Policy Makers: Evidence from a Randomized Policy Experiment in India," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 72(5), pages 1409-1443, September.
    3. Benjamin A. Olken, 2007. "Monitoring Corruption: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Indonesia," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 115(2), pages 200-249.
    4. Martin Ravallion, 2009. "Evaluating three stylised interventions," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(3), pages 227-236.
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    Cited by:

    1. Henrik Hansen & Ole Winckler Andersen & Howard White, 2011. "Impact evaluation of infrastructure interventions," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8.

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