Evaluations
Search our database of 855 randomized evaluations conducted by our affiliates in 80 countries. To browse summaries of key policy recommendations from a subset of these evaluations, visit the Policy Publications tab.
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Political Economy & Governance
Harvesting Rainfall: Experimental Evidence from Cistern Deployment in Northeast Brazil
Marco Gonzalez-Navarro, Paul Gertler , Gustavo Bobonis, Simeon NichterPolitical clientelism is often deemed to undermine democratic accountability and representation. This study argues that economic vulnerability causes citizens to participate in clientelism.
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Finance
The Impact of a Formal Savings Intervention in Sri Lanka
Craig McIntosh, Michael Callen , Suresh de Mel, Christopher WoodruffResearchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test the impact of a deposit collection service on the amount of savings and the source of those savings. In a follow-up evaluation, researchers introduced design tweaks to test the impact of reducing collection costs on individuals’ savings behavior.
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Health
The Impact of Low-Cost Nudges and Improved Communication on Medicaid Take-Up in Oregon
Katherine Baicker , Bill J. Wright, Ginny Garcia-Alexander, Margarette A. WellerState level Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) led to significant gains in insurance coverage, yet take-up remains low among many high-need populations. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to study the impact of improved communication and low-cost behaviorally informed “nudges” on Medicaid take-up.
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Labor Markets
Evaluating the Impact of Working from Home on Productivity and Work-Life Balance in China
Nicholas Bloom , James Liang, John Roberts, Zhichun Jenny YingResearchers analyzed the impact of working from home on productivity and work-life balance by randomly assigning some employees of a call center in China to work from home. Working from home significantly increased employees’ productivity and job satisfaction, although they were less likely to be promoted than similar-performing peers working in the office.
Education
Menstruation and Education in Nepal
Rebecca Thornton
, Emily Oster
Researchers introduced a convenient and hygienic sanitary product, reusable menstrual cups, to Nepalese girls in the seventh and eighth grades. Their evaluation addressed several questions: Is menstruation as large a barrier to education as many believe? Does switching to modern sanitary products increase attendance and school performance among girls? Results showed that girls in Nepal missed...
Education
Balsakhi Remedial Tutoring in Vadodara and Mumbai, India
Researchers evaluated the impact of the Balsakhi Program, a remedial tutoring education intervention implemented in schools in Vadodara and Mumbai, India, on student learning. The program significantly improved student test scores in both locations.
Education
Computer-Assisted Learning Project with Pratham in India
In Vadodora, India, researchers studied the impact of supplementing classroom instruction with computer-assisted learning (CAL) in primary schools. CAL significantly improved student’s math scores, but was less cost-effective than the remedial tutor-based program, Balsakhi.
Education
Encouraging Teacher Attendance through Monitoring with Cameras in Rural Udaipur, India
Esther Duflo, Rema Hanna
, Stephen Ryan
This study estimated the effect of financial incentives on teacher attendance on students' attendance and math and language levels. The incentives increased teacher attendance and teaching time, and student test scores rose as a result.
Education, Health
Balwadi Deworming in India
Edward Miguel
, Gustavo Bobonis, Charu Puri Sharma
This study evaluated the impact of a preschool nutrition and health project that targeted anemia in the slums of Delhi, India on child health and school attendance. Results showed the program positively impacted weight-gain and school attendance, particularly for groups with high base-line rates of anemia.
Education, Political Economy & Governance
Can Informational Campaigns Raise Awareness and Local Participation in Primary Education in India?
Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Rachel Glennerster
, Rukmini Banerji, Stuti Khemani
Researchers examined whether increasing community oversight and participation could improve education outcomes in Uttar Pradesh, India. Mobilizing community members to monitor local schools through Village Education Committees did not increase participation in school governance or improve education outcomes, but training local volunteers to teach basic reading outside school had a positive impact...