The gold standard for randomised evaluations: from discussion of method to political economics

Florent Bédécarrats, Isabelle Guérin and François Roubaud

No 15-009, Working Papers CEB from ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract: This last decade has seen the emergence of a new field of research in development economics: randomised control trials. This paper explores the contrast between the (many) limitations and (very narrow) real scope of these methods and their success in sheer number and media coverage. Our analysis suggests that the paradox is due to a particular economic and political mix driven by the innovative strategies used by the new school’s researchers and by specific interests and preferences in the academic world and the donor community.

Keywords: Impact evaluation; randomised control trial; experimental method; political economy; development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A11 B41 C93 D72 O10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 21 p.
Date: 2015-03-16
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp, nep-hme and nep-pke
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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