Randomized Controlled Trials and Its Policy Implication on Poverty Relief Globally

doi:10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.004

Abstract

Abstract: With increasing attention drawn to Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) after the announcement of the Nobel Prize winners in Economics Science 2019, this paper attempts to discuss the policy impact of RCTs and highlight its importance not only as an academic methodology but also as a useful policy tool. In this paper, four channels have been identified through which RCTs could help policy maker and development agencies in making their decisions. For each channel, detailed case studies are provided to further illustrate the impact of RCTs. The four channels discussed in the paper are 1) scaling up effective interventions, 2) adjusting programs to better allocate resources, 3) generating public goods and knowledge sharing, 4) institutionalizing evidence-based policy making.

Key words: randomized controlled trials, policy impact, poverty alleviation

Shi Rong, Shi Yaojiang, Bill Bikales, Ricardo Morel. Randomized Controlled Trials and Its Policy Implication on Poverty Relief Globally[J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 110-125.

References

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). (2018). The impact of price on take-up and use of preventive health products. J-PAL Policy Insights. Last modified May 2018. https://doi.org/10.31485/pi.2270.2018.
Banerjee, A. V., Duflo, E., & Kremer, M. (2016). The influence of randomized controlled trials on development economics research and on development policy. The State of Economics, The State of the World.
Banerjee, A., Karlan, D., & Zinman, J. (2015). Six randomized evaluations of microcredit: Introduction and further steps. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 7(1), 1?21.
Behrman, J., Sengupta, P., & Todd, P. (2000). The impact of PROGRESA on achievement test scores in the first year. September. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Behrman, J., & Hoddinott, P. (2000). An evaluation of the impact of PROGRESA on pre-school child height. July. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Bouguen, A., Filmer, D., Macours, K., & Naudeau, S. (2013). Impact evaluation of three types of early childhood development interventions in Cambodia. The World Bank.
Clemens, M. A., & Demombynes, G. (2010). When does rigorous impact evaluation make a difference? The case of the Millennium Villages. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 3(3), 1?49.
Coady, D. (2000). The application of social cost-benefit analysis to the evaluation of the human capital impacts of PROGRESA. March. InternationalFood Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Cohen, J., & Dupas, P. (2010). Free distribution or cost-sharing? Evidence from a randomized Malaria prevention experiment. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 125(1), 1?45
Duflo, E. (2017). Richard T. Ely lecture: The economist as plumber. American Economic Review, 107(5), 1?26
Gertler, P. J. (2000). Final report: The impact of PROGRESA on health. November. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Hoddinott, J., Skoufias, E., & Washburn, R. (2000).The impact of PROGRESA on consumption: A final report. September. International Food Policy ResearchInstitute, Washington, D.C.
Honorati, M., Gentilini, U., & Yemtsov, R. G. (2015). The state of social safety nets 2015. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
Kremer, M., & Miguel, E. (2007). The illusion of sustainability. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 122(3), 1007?1065
Kremer, M., & Glennerster, R. (2011). Improving health in developing countries. Handbook of health economics, 2, 201?315
Maes, J. P., & Reed, L. R. (2012). State of the microcredit summit campaign report 2012. Microcredit Summit Campaign.
Miguel, E., & Kremer, M. (2004). Worms: Identifying impacts on education and health in the presence of treatment externalities. Econometrica, 72(1), 159?217
Ordonez-Barba, G., & Silva-Hernandez, A. (2019). Progresa-Oportunidades-Prospera: Transformations, reaches and results of a paradigmatic program against poverty. Papeles De Poblacion, 25(99), 77?109
Rowe, N. (2011). Mexico's oportunidades: Conditional cash transfers as the solution to global poverty? Donald A. Henriksen Fellowship in International Political Economy, Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies, 1?20.
Sachs, J. D. (2018). Lessons from the Millennium Villages Project: A personal perspective. The Lancet Global Health, 6(5).
Sen, A. (2001). Development as freedom. Oxford Paperbacks.
Schultz, T. P. (2000). Final report: The impact of PROGRESA on school enrollments. April. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Skoufias, E., & Parker, R. (2001). Conditional cashtransfers and the impact on child work and schooling: Evidence from the PROGRESA program in Mexico. Economia: Journal of Latin America and the Caribbean EconomicAssociation. Vol. 2, No. 1. 1(pages 45–96).
World Health Organization. (2017). World malaria report 2017.

[1]	Program China Development Research Foundation “One Village One Preschool”. Targeted Poverty Alleviation in Education: Effect Evaluation of the 10th Anniversary of Ledu “One Village One Preschool” Program [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2021, 39(7): 107-126.
[2]	Nie Jingchun, Gao Qiufeng, Yang Jie, Guan Hongyu, Cai Jianhua. Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Randomized Controlled Trials: Methods and Practice in China’s Rural Education [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 68-91.
[3]	Shi Yaojiang, Zhang Linxiu, Chang Fang, Liu Han, Tang Bin, Gao Qiufeng, Guan Hongyu, Nie Jingchun, Yang Jie, Bai Yu, Li Ying, Tang Lei, Yue Ai, Ru Tong. Practices and Experiences of Randomized Controlled Trials in China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviations in Education [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 1-67.
[4]	Zhao Jin, Wang Huan, Guan Hongyu, Shi Yaojiang, Robin Li, Scott Rozelle. Targeted Poverty Alleviation through Education: A Study of Myopia Among Rural Students in China and Prevention and Control Policy Recommendations [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(3): 117-125.
[5]	Chen Zhao, Si Chen, Yan Cao, Snow Catherine, Mai Lu. Targeted Poverty Alleviation through Education: Long-term Effect of China’s “One Village One Preschool” Project on Rural Children’s Academic Achievements [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(2): 114-125.
[6]	Meng Zecha, Hao Wenwu, Hong Songsong, Wang Zhongxiao. The Important Role of Education in the Targeted-poverty Alleviation: Empirical Analysis on Rural Economy and Education Development in the Poverty-stricken Areas of Northwest China [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(12): 109-120.
[7]	Zhu Chengchen, Yan Guangfen, Zhu Dequan. Rural Construction and Rural Education: An Integrated Model for Targeted Poverty Alleviation of Vocational Education and Rural Revitalization Strategy [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa, 2019, 37(2): 127-135.
[8]	Li Fang. Targeted Poverty Alleviation System of Compulsory Education in Contiguous Destitute Areas: Based on Talcott Parsons's Social Theory [J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa, 2019, 37(2): 116-126.