Year: 2005
Type: report
Abstract: : The chapter critically reviews the methods available for the ex-post counterfactual analysis of programs that are assigned exclusively to individuals, households or locations. The discussion covers both experimental and nonexperimental methods (including propensity-score matching, discontinuity designs, double and triple differences and instrumental variables). The problems encountered in applying each method to anti-poverty programs in developing countries are reviewed. Two main lessons emerge. Firstly, despite the claims of advocates, no single method dominates; rigorous, policy-relevant evaluations should be open-minded about methodology, adapting to the problem, setting and data constraints. Secondly, future efforts to draw useful lessons from evaluations will call for more policy-relevant data and methods than the classic (“black box”) assessment of impacts on mean outcomes. Contents
Author: Martin Ravallion
Institution: Georgetown University
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics and Probability
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2123909070