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
Bowling in the dark
It was eye opening to watch a recent lecture in the TED series by Melinda French Gates on the lessons that emerge from the incredible success of Coca-Cola. You can buy a Coke anywhere in the world, from Tamalameque in Colombia to Katine in Uganda, where it is easier to get a Coke than getting a basic medicine. Ms. French-Gates explains that there are three reasons behind this … [Read more...] about Bowling in the dark
Two ideas that simplify: food for thought
A few days ago, my colleague Gerry Johnson brought to our attention this presentation by Owen Barder. Watch it. It's provocative, persuasive and pregnant with ideas. It seems like it chats with Esther Duflo’s Ted Talk that Francisco Mejía shared a few days ago. It weaves very nicely the day-to-day practical issues that we face in impact evaluation. It also challenges, … [Read more...] about Two ideas that simplify: food for thought