A Method to Obtain a Randomized Control Group where it Seems Impossible

Shu-Hong Zhu
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Shu-Hong Zhu: University of California, San Diego

Evaluation Review, 1999, vol. 23, issue 4, 363-377

Abstract: Randomization of program participants into control and experimental groups is often not feasible in field settings. The researcher's desire to evaluate a program with a rigorous experimental design is often incompatible with the objective of serving the expressed needs of the program participants. However, opportunities do arise when a randomized control group can be constructed without disregarding the participants'wish to be included in the treatment group. This article describes a method that uses the participants' compliance to program instructions as a means of classifying participants and, thereby, obtains a randomized control group for a subset of participants. A large smoking intervention project is used to illustrate two variations of this method.

Date: 1999
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:evarev:v:23:y:1999:i:4:p:363-377

DOI: 10.1177/0193841X9902300401

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