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On the Analogy between Field Experiments in Economics and Clinical Trials in Medicine

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  • Judith Favereau

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Randomized experiments, as developed by Esther Duflo and Abhi-jit Banerjee at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), offer a novel, evidence-based approach to fighting poverty. This approach is original in that it imports the methodology of clinical trials for application in development economics. This paper examines the analogy between J-PAL's field experiments in development economics and randomized controlled trials in medicine. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and randomized field experiments (RFEs) are commonly treated as identical, but such treatment neglects some of the major distinguishing features that make each experiment specifically apt for use in its respective field. The central claim of this paper is that the analogy between medicine and development economics is incomplete because the central dimensions of RCTs are not simply different, but altogether lacking in J-PAL's approach. This weakens both the political and the theoretical power of such experiments in development economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Favereau, 2016. "On the Analogy between Field Experiments in Economics and Clinical Trials in Medicine," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-02092631, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-02092631
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02092631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joshua D. Angrist & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2010. "The Credibility Revolution in Empirical Economics: How Better Research Design Is Taking the Con out of Econometrics," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(2), pages 3-30, Spring.
    2. Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo, 2009. "The Experimental Approach to Development Economics," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 1(1), pages 151-178, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. María Caamaño-Alegre & José Caamaño-Alegre, 2019. "Economic experiments versus physical science experiments: an ontology-based approach," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 12(2), pages 1-30, May.
    2. Juan Pablo Castilla, 2020. "To Kill a Black Swan: The Credibility Revolution at CEDE, 2000-2018," Documentos CEDE 18366, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    3. Ali, Saleem H., 2020. "Environmental urgency versus the allure of RCT empiricism," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    4. Yokoo, Hide-Fumi & 横尾, 英史, 2020. "Ethics of randomized field experiments: Evidence from a randomized survey experiment," Discussion Papers 2020-07, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.

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