Displaying 4126 - 4140 of 7554
Evaluation
High Hopes: Saving for High School with a Mobile-Money Lock-Box in Kenya
In Kenya, researchers partnered with a telecom operator to evaluate the impact of a commitment savings account, called the “High Hopes” Lock-Savings Account, on account usage, savings and loans, and school enrollment. The study found that many parents used the accounts–usage rates increased by about 25 percentage points–and that among those who took up the account, total financial savings increased by three to four times. Parents who saved were also 18-24 percentage points more likely to enroll their children in high school. However, the results were nearly the same for a more conventional mobile savings account that did not offer the commitment bonus, suggesting that easy access to a means of saving, even absent behavioral incentives, was enough to affect parents’ decisions.
Evaluation
Preventing Homelessness Among Youth and Families with Children
Researchers evaluated the impact of case management and immediate financial assistance compared to only financial assistance on housing and health outcomes for youth and families with children.
Evaluation
Informing Policy with Research in Brazil
Researchers partnered with the National Confederation of Municipalities (CNM) in Brazil to evaluate the impact of access to research results on policymakers’ demand for research findings and interest in adopting evidence-informed policies. Policymakers were willing to pay for research findings and subsequently updated their beliefs. Those who were invited to an information session on a simple, evidence-informed policy to increase tax compliance were more likely to implement that policy within the next two years.
Evaluation
The Effects of Working While in School in Uruguay
Researchers partnered with the government of Uruguay to evaluate the impact of a national youth employment program. The program increased participants’ earnings and school enrollment during and up to two years after the program, suggesting that work-study programs may ease students’ school-to-work transition.
Evaluation
The Impact of a School-Based Management Program on Student Performance in Mexico
Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to determine the effect of a school-based management program, Programa Escuelas de Calidad, on student performance in Mexico. The program combined a cash grant with state support to design and carry out school improvement plans. The intervention did not have any effect on school performance after one year.
Update
J-PAL updates
Ready to learn: Generating and using evidence to reduce gender-based violence in Peru
To address the issue of gender-based violence, Peru’s Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP), J-PAL’s Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) office, and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Peru are partnering to develop a cycle of learning and institutionalization of evidence-informed...
Evaluation
The Impact of Financial Incentives for Traditional Birth Attendants on Postnatal Care Use in Nigeria
Researchers evaluated whether giving traditional birth attendants (TBAs) cash incentives for maternal postnatal referrals can increase uptake of skilled maternal postnatal care. Cash rewards increased referrals made by TBAs by 182 percent and more than tripled the proportion of clients that attended postnatal care. However, clients of incentivized TBAs were still much less likely to receive postnatal care compared to mothers delivering in a health facility, suggesting that other potential barriers may prevent women from seeking and accessing care.
Person
Michael Rosholm
Michael Rosholm is a professor at the Business and Social Sciences School at Aarhus University, whose research focuses on the effects of active labor market policies on individuals and firms, immigrants in the labor market, and health and employment.
Evaluation
Diffusing New Seeds through Social Networks in Indian Village Economies
The researcher conducted a randomization in rural Odisha in India, by comparing adoption of a new seed variety through farmer-to-farmer networks in one half as benchmarked by door-to-door sales of the same seed. Trading between farmers leads to substantial under-adoption of agricultural technology relative to the door-to-door sales. Diffusion is partially but not fully explained by social networks.
Evaluation
The Impact of Financial Education for Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore
Researchers evaluated the impact of a financial literacy program for Filipino domestic workers based in Singapore on their financial knowledge, behavior, savings, and remittances. While there was no evidence that being invited to join the program had any impact on financial knowledge or behavior, program invitees reported reductions in self-reported savings, as well as more disagreements with family members over how to spend remittances. The program may have encouraged participants to seek more accurate information on household spending and saving.