Arbeitspapier

Generalization in the Tropics: Development policy, randomized controlled trials, and external validity

When properly implemented, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) achieve a high degree of internal validity. Yet, if an RCT is to inform policy, it is critical to establish external validity. This paper systematically reviews all RCTs conducted in developing countries and published in leading economic journals between 2009 and 2014 with respect to how they deal with external validity. Following Duflo, Glennerster, and Kremer (2008), the hazards to external validity we scrutinize are Hawthorne effects, general equilibrium effects, specific sample problems, and special care in treatment provision. Based on a set of objective indicators, we find that the majority of published RCTs does not discuss these hazards and many do not provide the necessary information to assess potential problems. The paper calls for including external validity dimensions in a more systematic reporting on the results of RCTs. This may create incentives to avoid overgeneralizing findings and help policy makers to interpret results appropriately.

ISBN
978-3-86788-835-6
Sprache
Englisch

Erschienen in
Series: Ruhr Economic Papers ; No. 716

Klassifikation
Wirtschaft
Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
Field Experiments
Thema
policy evaluation
systematic review
internal validity
external validity
randomized controlled trials

Ereignis
Geistige Schöpfung
(wer)
Peters, Jörg
Langbein, Jörg
Roberts, Gareth
Ereignis
Veröffentlichung
(wer)
RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung
(wo)
Essen
(wann)
2017

DOI
doi:10.4419/86788835
Handle
Letzte Aktualisierung
10.03.2025, 11:42 MEZ

Datenpartner

Dieses Objekt wird bereitgestellt von:
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft. Bei Fragen zum Objekt wenden Sie sich bitte an den Datenpartner.

Objekttyp

  • Arbeitspapier

Beteiligte

  • Peters, Jörg
  • Langbein, Jörg
  • Roberts, Gareth
  • RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung

Entstanden

  • 2017

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