Mind the gap, Mind the gap … is a warning that the London Underground introduced in 1969 for passengers to be cautious of the gap between straight train cars and curved platforms. The gap between policy (where we want to go) and evidence (does it take us there?) can also be perilous. … [Read more...] about Closing the gap between policy making and evidence
Corruption and waste: one example and four lessons
A few days ago UNICEF publicized for the first time the prices it pays for vaccines for kids in poor countries. It revealed that western drug companies charge $1 more than Indian companies. UNICEF buys over two billion doses a year. It is clear that this kind of information sharing by publicizing prices in the public sector has a huge impact. A recent article on waste and … [Read more...] about Corruption and waste: one example and four lessons
Can we randomize institutional reform?
A few days ago I attended a book presentation on experimental evaluations where one participant stated, "this is all well and good, but it does not apply to institutional reforms; one cannot ‘randomize’ the reform of a ministry." Similarly, a document from a bilateral aid agency stated that it can experimentally evaluate only 5 percent of the total development assistance … [Read more...] about Can we randomize institutional reform?
Corruption and education: three stories
The idea that corruption has negative effects on investment and growth has been in the development economics literature for quite a while. Some believe that the real problems lie on institutional and political structures and that the focus should be placed in reforming them. Others think that corruption cannot be solved if poverty and exclusion are not addressed. A … [Read more...] about Corruption and education: three stories
Impact Evaluation in Practice
Want to test if a program or policy works, but don’t have time for a Ph.D. in econometrics? Then this book is for you. In “Impact Evaluation in Practice” we discuss the basic principles of impact evaluation and its application in the real world, all in a very accessible language. “Impact Evaluation in Practice” is available for free on the World Bank’s … [Read more...] about Impact Evaluation in Practice