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Meta-analysis of the impact of microcredit on women's control over household decisions: methodological issues and substantive findings

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  • Maren Duvendack
  • Richard Palmer-Jones
  • Jos Vaessen

Abstract

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis have risen in popularity in international development to provide evidence on 'what works'. This paper reports the findings of a meta-analysis to assess the impact of microcredit on women's control over household spending to illustrate the challenges of conducting meta-analysis in the case of a diverse evidence base. We provide an assessment of methodological quality and present the findings of a meta-analysis. The results suggest that the effect sizes are small. Furthermore, the confidence that we can place in these findings is limited by the high level of heterogeneity within and between studies and the general reliance on non-experimental studies and statistical analyses which are not reported in sufficient detail to enable confident judgement as to their robustness.

Suggested Citation

  • Maren Duvendack & Richard Palmer-Jones & Jos Vaessen, 2014. "Meta-analysis of the impact of microcredit on women's control over household decisions: methodological issues and substantive findings," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(2), pages 73-96, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevef:v:6:y:2014:i:2:p:73-96
    DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2014.903289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ngo, Thi Minh-Phuong & Wahhaj, Zaki, 2012. "Microfinance and gender empowerment," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 1-12.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meager, Rachael, 2019. "Understanding the average impact of microcredit expansions: a Bayesian hierarchical analysis of seven randomized experiments," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 88190, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Merrey, D. J. & Lefore, Nicole, 2018. "Improving the availability and effectiveness of rural and “Micro” finance for small-scale irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of lessons learned," IWMI Working Papers H049027, International Water Management Institute.
    3. repec:wly:econjl:v::y:2017:i:605:p:f236-f265 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Huis, Marloes & Lensink, Robert & Vu, Nhung & Hansen, Nina, 2019. "Impacts of the Gender and Entrepreneurship Together Ahead (GET Ahead) training on empowerment of female microfinance borrowers in Northern Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 46-61.
    5. Mostak Ahamed & Roxana Guti'errez-Romero, 2020. "COVID-19 response needs to broaden financial inclusion to curb the rise in poverty," Papers 2006.10706, arXiv.org.
    6. Touseef Ahmed Khan & Fahem Ahmed Khan & Qristin Violinda & Ilyas Aasir & Sun Jian, 2020. "Microfinance Facility for Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Rachael Meager, 2015. "Understanding the Impact of Microcredit Expansions: A Bayesian Hierarchical Analysis of 7 Randomised Experiments," Papers 1506.06669, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2016.
    8. Emmy De Buck & Karin Hannes & Hans Van Remoortel & Thashlin Govender & Axel Vande Veegaete & Alfred Musekiwa & Vittoria Lutje & Margaret Cargo & Hans‐Joachim Mosler & Philippe Vandekerckhove & Taryn Y, 2016. "PROTOCOL: Approaches to Promote Handwashing and Sanitation Behaviour Change in Low‐ and Middle Income Countries: A Mixed Method Systematic Review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(1), pages 1-46.
    9. Balasubramanian, Pooja & Ibanez, Marcela & Khan, Sarah & Sahoo, Soham, 2024. "Does women's economic empowerment promote human development in low- and middle-income countries? A meta-analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    10. John P. A. Ioannidis & T. D. Stanley & Hristos Doucouliagos, 2017. "The Power of Bias in Economics Research," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(605), pages 236-265, October.

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