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.
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Introduction to Randomized Evaluations
Resources
A non-technical overview and step-by-step introduction for those who are new to randomized evaluations, as well as case studies and other teaching resources.
Before Starting a Project
Resources
Tips on successful field management and implementation partnerships for researchers who are new to fieldwork.
Project Planning
Resources
Highlights include: annotated checklist for designing an informed consent process, detailed advice on grant proposals and budgeting, and suggestions for proactive measures to help ensure ethical principles are followed in research design and implementation.
Research Design
Resources
Data Collection and Access
Resources
This section contains guidance specific to working with surveyors or survey companies, information about administrative data collection, and information applicable to all modes of data collection, such as on data security, data quality, and grant management.
Processing and Analysis
Resources
All the steps in a research project after the data was collected or assembled, from data cleaning to communicating results.
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...