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.

Displaying 1-8 of 1290
Three young women gathered around a lab bench build a robot together.

The Effects of STEM Summer Programs on College Major, Persistence, and Graduation for Underrepresented High School Students in the United States

Sarah Cohodes
Helen Ho
Silvia Robles
Researchers evaluated three STEM-focused summer programs for high school students and found that the programs increased students’ likelihood of attending a highly-ranked university, graduating, and earning a degree in STEM.
Young man smiling at letter

The Impact of Free Tuition Program Design on College Applications and Enrollment in the United States

Elizabeth Burland
Susan Dynarski
Katherine Michelmore
Stephanie Owen
Shwetha Raghuraman
Researchers investigated how two different free tuition programs for low-income students affected application and enrollment to the University of Michigan. An unconditional offer substantially increased application and enrollment while a conditional offer had a much smaller effect on applications...
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...
Empty polling place with privacy screen emblazoned with American flag and the word "vote"

The Effects of Reciprocity in Voter Mobilization Calls on Voter Turnout in the United States

Albert Fang
Alan Gerber
Gregory A. Huber
Catlan Reardon
Researchers evaluated the role of reciprocity in increasing voter turnout through voter mobilization calls by varying whether an initial phone call included a plausible sign of good will by the campaign—an offer to follow up reminding them to vote.
J-PAL logo

Spanish-language Radio Advertisements and Latinx Voter Turnout in the 2006 Congressional Elections

Donald Green
Costas Panagopoulos
Researchers tested the impact of non-partisan Spanish-language radio campaigns on Latinx voter turnout in the November 2006 congressional elections. These radio advertisements significantly increased Latinx voting rates.
two women stand at ballot booths

The Effect of Randomized School Admissions on Voter Participation in the United States

Justine Hastings
Thomas Kane
Douglas Staiger
Jeremy Weinstein
Understanding the factors that influence voting behavior is a central policy issue. Often voting outcomes directly determine funding of critical public goods such as public education.