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Beyond ‘context matters’: Context and external validity in impact evaluation

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  • Williams, Martin J.

Abstract

Issues of external validity and adaptation of policy to local context are: 1) the focus of many critiques of experimental methods; 2) an exciting and active frontier of research; and 3) a central practical challenge for policymakers seeking to make use of experimental evidence. All parties agree that “context matters”, but how exactly should policymakers integrate evidence from elsewhere with information about their local context in making decisions about transporting and scaling up successful interventions? This essay briefly surveys what experimental methods and recent theoretical and econometric advances can say about the external validity of experimental evaluations, and what gaps this still leaves for policymakers. It then suggests a simple and general framework for external validity and policy adaptation based on the interaction of policy mechanisms with features of context, and discusses mechanism mapping as a practical tool to help policymakers make these judgments.

Suggested Citation

  • Williams, Martin J., 2020. "Beyond ‘context matters’: Context and external validity in impact evaluation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:127:y:2020:i:c:s0305750x19304826
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104833
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    1. Angus Deaton, 2010. "Instruments, Randomization, and Learning about Development," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 48(2), pages 424-455, June.
    2. Angus Deaton & Nancy Cartwright, 2016. "Understanding and Misunderstanding Randomized Controlled Trials," Working Papers august_25.pdf, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    3. Williams, Martin J., 2019. "External validity and policy adaptation: From impact evaluation to policy design," PEGNet Policy Briefs 18/2019, PEGNet - Poverty Reduction, Equity and Growth Network, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    4. Deaton, Angus & Cartwright, Nancy, 2018. "Understanding and misunderstanding randomized controlled trials," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 2-21.
    5. Amanda E. Kowalski, 2018. "How to Examine External Validity Within an Experiment," NBER Working Papers 24834, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Joshua Angrist & Ivan Fernandez-Val, 2010. "ExtrapoLATE-ing: External Validity and Overidentification in the LATE Framework," NBER Working Papers 16566, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roelen, Keetie & Saha, Amrita, 2021. "Pathways to stronger futures? The role of social protection in reducing psychological risk factors for child development in Haiti," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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