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Toward an evaluation of evaluation methods: a commentary on the experimental approach in the fields of employment, work, and professional training

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  • Francois Bourguignon

Abstract

This paper compares two families of evaluation techniques for social programmes in the field of employment and income. The first refers to the experimental methods and in particular to the randomised control trials, which are of increasing use in the evaluation of social programmes. The second refers to the structural economic modelling of individual behaviours supposed to be important determinants of the policy being evaluated. Although the emphasis of the paper is more on experimental methods, because of their relative novelty in the economic discipline, it essentially argues that no method should be preferred to the other on a priori grounds. They both have advantages and limitations in their applicability. Ideally they should be used concomitantly as they have some power to partially compensate the deficiencies of each other.

Suggested Citation

  • Francois Bourguignon, 2010. "Toward an evaluation of evaluation methods: a commentary on the experimental approach in the fields of employment, work, and professional training," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(3), pages 310-319.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevef:v:2:y:2010:i:3:p:310-319
    DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2010.505774
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    1. Ariel Fiszbein & Norbert Schady & Francisco H.G. Ferreira & Margaret Grosh & Niall Keleher & Pedro Olinto & Emmanuel Skoufias, 2009. "Conditional Cash Transfers : Reducing Present and Future Poverty," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2597, December.
    2. Alicia H. Munnell, 1987. "Lessons from the income maintenance experiments: an overview," New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issue May, pages 32-45.
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