Search our database of 1,200+ summaries of randomized evaluations conducted by our affiliates in 99 countries. To browse key policy recommendations from a subset of these evaluations, visit the Policy Publications tab above.

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An older woman talks on her cell phone in India.

Providing Therapy and Cash Transfers to Improve Older Adult Mental Health in India

Researchers evaluated the impact of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and cash transfers on functional impairment (or difficulty performing daily tasks), depression, and food security among adults 55 and older living alone in Tamil Nadu, India. At a three-week follow-up, cash transfers improved...
Bangladeshi garment workers in a factory in Dhaka.

Encouraging the Use of Formal Financial Services of Garment Workers through the Rollout of an Electronic Payment System in Bangladesh

Emily Breza
Martin Kanz
Leora Klapper
Researchers randomly assigned employees at garment factories in Bangladesh to either continue collecting their wages in cash, receive direct deposit wage payments into a payroll account, or receive an account but continued to receive wage payments in cash. Exposure to payroll accounts led to...
person opening an empty wallet

Increasing Savings and Reducing Credit Card Reliance among Low-Income U.S. Households

Dean Karlan
Eldar Shafir
Jonathan Zinman
Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to investigate the demand for commitment savings products or financial counseling, and the impacts these products and services have on savings, among a sample of low- and moderate-income credit union members in New York City.
FAFSA application form

The (Null) Impact of Tax Credit Information on College Enrollment in Texas

Peter Bergman
Jeffrey Denning
Dayanand Manoli
Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test the impact of a large, information-only intervention about tax credits and financial aid for college on college application and enrollment. Information about tax credits did not influence reenrollment, reapplication, or enrollment, even for...
Person looks at tax document in the United States

Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit for Workers without Dependent Children in the United States

Kali Aloisi
Gilda Azurdia
Adam Isen
Lawrence Katz
Cynthia Miller
Caroline Schultz
MDRC partnered with NYC Opportunity, the NYC Human Resources Administration and Food Bank for NYC to design, implement, and evaluate the program. MDRC researchers found that three years of Paycheck Plus in New York City increased income, employment, tax credit receipt, and payment of child support...
Brick apartments pictured from the street

The Impact of School Quality Information on Moves to Opportunity in the United States

Peter Bergman
Eric W. Chan
Adam Kapor
Researchers added school-quality information onto housing listings on the AffordableHousing.com (formerly GoSection8) website, the largest provider of housing listings for HCV recipients, to evaluate the impact on families search for housing and their residential locations. The researchers found...
an array of college graduation caps

The Impact of Improved Communication on Cal-Grant Take-Up Rates in the United States

Elizabeth Linos
Vikash Reddy
Jesse Rothstein
Researchers evaluated the impact of simplified award letters and different framing and messaging on students’ decision-making in their college selection process and uptake of financial aid. Researchers found that notification letters containing simplified and behaviorally informed language increased...
Entrepreneur putting training skills to work

Impacts of Subsidized Entrepreneurship Training in the United States

Robert Fairlie
Dean Karlan
Jonathan Zinman
Subsidizing entrepreneurship training in the United States did not improve access to training services or promoted employment among groups affected by discrimination.