Our library of practical resources is intended for researchers and research staff undertaking randomized evaluations, as well as those teaching the technique to others, and anyone interested in how randomized evaluations are conducted.
Incorporating lessons learned through our own experience and through guidance from researchers and research organizations, we provide practical advice for designing, implementing, and communicating about evaluations. These resources are a collaborative effort. We credit the authors of all the resources we post here, and link to their original work wherever possible.
Please reach out to us at [email protected] or fill out this form with questions or feedback.
Data analysis
This guide provides an overview of data analysis for randomized evaluations in order to estimate causal impact. It is intended to provide something of a starting point and orient individuals not...
Data de-identification
Researchers who plan to publish data on human subjects should take careful steps to protect the confidentiality of study participants through data de-identification—a process that reduces the risk of...
Data publication
J-PAL promotes the publication of de-identified data from randomized evaluations 1. This resource provides guidance on doing so in the form of a checklist for preparing data for submission. It also...
Real-time monitoring and response plans: Creating procedures
When an unintended change arises in a study of a social program or policy, there is often a limited window during which to address it. Systematic monitoring plans can equip researchers and program...
Using administrative data for randomized evaluations
Administrative data is information collected, used, and stored primarily for administrative (i.e., operational), rather than research, purposes. These data can be an excellent source of information...
Increasing response rates of mail surveys and mailings
Drawing on evidence and examples from literature on mail experiments and mail surveys, this resource suggests strategies for increasing responses to mail surveys and mailings targeted at a fixed pool...
Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review research involving human subjects to ensure that participants are protected from potentially harmful research. This resource provides an overview of the roles...
Implementation monitoring
Researchers should monitor the implementation of a program to preserve its integrity of the program and collect additional information that can inform the generalizability of the results of the...