Walking the talk: the need for a trial registry for development interventions

Ole Rasmussen (), Nikolaj Malchow-Møller and Thomas Andersen

Journal of Development Effectiveness, 2011, vol. 3, issue 4, 502-519

Abstract: Recent advances in the use of randomised control trials to evaluate the effect of development interventions promise to enhance our knowledge of what works and why. A core argument supporting randomised studies is the claim that they have high internal validity. The authors argue that this claim is weak as long as a trial registry of development interventions is not in place. Without a trial registry, the possibilities for data mining, created by analyses of multiple outcomes and subgroups, undermine internal validity. Drawing on experience from evidence-based medicine and recent examples from microfinance, they argue that a trial registry would also enhance external validity and foster innovative research.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2011.605160

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