April 2020 Newsletter
Increasing adherence to COVID-19 guidelines: Insights from existing health evidence
The World Health Organization, national health agencies, and other experts have issued guidance on best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Yet, following these guidelines is not always easy. Drawing on evidence from rigorous research, J-PAL’s Health sector provides recommendations on increasing guideline adherence that can inform policymakers’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more »
Expert advice for online learning
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many classrooms worldwide have shifted courses online, presenting challenges for instructors and learners alike. J-PAL, with MIT’s Department of Economics, has offered the online MicroMasters program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy (DEDP) since 2017. In two blog posts, J-PAL staff share lessons learned from our experience developing and delivering an online master’s program.
For instructors: We share key lessons for keeping students engaged and learning. Read more »
For students: We interviewed a MicroMasters learner who shared his keys to success. Read more »
Building a virtual community within J-PAL
Like many, all J-PAL staff have been working from home for the past few weeks. From bi-weekly town hall meetings to online yoga and cooking classes, our staff have developed creative ways to stay connected and adapt our work to these unique and challenging circumstances. Read more »
FEATURED PUBLICATION
What works to enhance women’s agency: Lessons from a new literature review
International Women’s Day (March 8) celebrated the many achievements of women and called for action to advance gender equality. In honor, we highlighted insights from our review of 160 studies on what works to enhance women’s agency. Read more »
EVIDENCE-INFORMED DECISION MAKING
Using evidence for long-term policymaking in Indonesia
Policymakers need new information to adjust their programs and address challenges that emerge. Over the course of nine years, Benjamin A. Olken (MIT; Director, J-PAL; Scientific Director, J-PAL Southeast Asia) and co-authors partnered with the government of Indonesia to evaluate their community block grant, Generasi. Based on an early evaluation, the government decided to switch to performance-incentivized grants, while results from studies on the longer-term effects informed two new programs.
In a blog post, J-PAL staff reflect on maintaining this long-term research partnership. Read more »
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT
Karthik Muralidharan on the transformative power of public policy
As a development economist, Karthik Muralidharan (UCSD; Co-Chair, J-PAL Education sector) studies how scarce resources should be allocated to maximize impact. He says, “Over the past twenty years, I’ve seen how there is stunning variation in the cost-effectiveness of policies that sound equally sensible sitting in a conference room...The job of the researcher is to bring objective evidence into the discussion.” Read our profile »
UPCOMING COURSE
Enroll now in J-PAL 101x: Evaluating Social Programs
J-PAL's online Evaluating Social Programs course begins April 28. This is a free, self-paced course to learn how to use randomized evaluations to rigorously measure the impact of social programs. Through lectures from renowned MIT faculty and J-PAL affiliated professors, along with case studies from real randomized evaluations, participants will cover topics ranging from how to effectively measure outcomes and choose an appropriate sample size to common threats to analysis. Learn more and register »
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Poor countries need to think twice about social distancing (Opinion)
Foreign Policy
How to help the poor amid COVID-19? Give them money, says Nobel laureate Esther Duflo
Marketplace
Easing access to the safety net, and why we need to do it now (Opinion)
Governing
Connecting with voters in a time of social distancing (Opinion)
Scientific American
How you can protect your community, not just your own health (Opinion)
New York Times
Working from home can make people more productive. Just not during a pandemic
Vox
NEW RESEARCH PAPERS
Failure of Frequent Assessment: An Evaluation of India’s Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation Program
James Berry, Harini Kannan, Shobhini Mukherji, Marc Shotland
How Important is the Yellow Pages? Experimental Evidence from Tanzania
Brian Dillon, Jenny C. Aker, Joshua E. Blumenstock
The Economic Consequences of Increasing Sleep Among the Urban Poor
Pedro Bessone, Gautam Rao, Frank Schilbach, Heather Schofield, Mattie Toma
The Welfare Effects of Social Media
Hunt Allcott, Luca Braghieri, Sarah Eichmeyer, Matthew Gentzkow