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Local Knowledge, Formal Evidence, and Policy Decisions

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  • Vivalt, Eva
  • Aidan Coville
  • KC,Sampada

Abstract

How do policymakers value advice from local experts versus formal evidence from impact evaluations when making policy decisions? Using a discrete choice experiment conducted in collaboration with the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, we show that policymakers were willing to accept a program that had a 5.0 percentage point smaller estimated effect on enrollment rates if it were recommended by a local expert. They also preferred programs supported by evidence from a different region over programs supported by local evaluations only if the former had a 5.8 percentage point higher estimated impact. These premiums are large, surpassing the effects of many programs aimed at improving enrollment rates. This highlights the substantial weight that policymakers place on local evidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivalt, Eva & Aidan Coville & KC,Sampada, 2024. "Local Knowledge, Formal Evidence, and Policy Decisions," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10994, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tommaso Crosta & Dean Karlan & Finley Ong & Julius Rüschenpöhler & Christopher R. Udry, 2024. "Unconditional Cash Transfers: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evaluations in Low and Middle Income Countries," NBER Working Papers 32779, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    6. Rema Hanna & Sendhil Mullainathan & Joshua Schwartzstein, 2014. "Learning Through Noticing: Theory and Evidence from a Field Experiment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 129(3), pages 1311-1353.
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