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Asymdystopia: The Threat of Small Biases in Evaluations of Education Interventions that Need to be Powered to Detect Small Impacts

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  • John Deke
  • Thomas Wei
  • Tim Kautz

Abstract

The authors examine the potential for small biases to increase the risk of making false inferences as studies are powered to detect smaller impacts and recommend strategies researchers can use to avoid or mitigate these biases.

Suggested Citation

  • John Deke & Thomas Wei & Tim Kautz, "undated". "Asymdystopia: The Threat of Small Biases in Evaluations of Education Interventions that Need to be Powered to Detect Small Impacts," Mathematica Policy Research Reports f0ff8f86e3c34dc8baaf22b56, Mathematica Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:mpr:mprres:f0ff8f86e3c34dc8baaf22b564ed8081
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Sebastian Calonico & Matias D. Cattaneo & Rocio Titiunik, 2014. "Robust Nonparametric Confidence Intervals for Regression‐Discontinuity Designs," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82, pages 2295-2326, November.
    3. Susanne James-Burdumy & John Deke & Julieta Lugo-Gil & Nancy Carey & Alan Hershey & Russell Gersten & Rebecca Newman-Gonchar & Joseph Dimino & Kelly Haymond & Bonnie Faddis, "undated". "Effectiveness of Selected Supplemental Reading Comprehension Interventions: Findings from Two Student Cohorts," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 9bd673f8e8f9420787c84c985, Mathematica Policy Research.
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    6. Peter Z. Schochet, "undated". "Technical Methods Report: Statistical Power for Regression Discontinuity Designs in Education Evaluations," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 61fb6c057561451a8a6074508, Mathematica Policy Research.
    7. Jill Constantine & Daniel Player & Tim Silva & Kristin Hallgren & Mary Grider & John Deke, 2009. "An Evaluation of Teachers Trained Through Different Routes to Certification," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 1a9e2910a01843c2babbc8c64, Mathematica Policy Research.
    8. Guido Imbens & Karthik Kalyanaraman, 2012. "Optimal Bandwidth Choice for the Regression Discontinuity Estimator," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 79(3), pages 933-959.
    9. Hanley Chiang & Alison Wellington & Kristin Hallgren & Cecilia Speroni & Mariesa Herrmann & Steven Glazerman & Jill Constantine, "undated". "Evaluation of the Teacher Incentive Fund: Implementation and Impacts of Pay-for-Performance After Two Years," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 4f123c78ddb644079b88d2bb4, Mathematica Policy Research.
    10. repec:mpr:mprres:6181 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Jeffrey Max & Jill Constantine & Alison Wellington & Kristin Hallgren & Steven Glazerman & Hanley Chiang & Cecilia Speroni, "undated". "Evaluation of the Teacher Incentive Fund: Implementation and Early Impacts of Pay-for-Performance After One Year: Executive Summary," Mathematica Policy Research Reports d57be8f9aed44f0ca1bc582af, Mathematica Policy Research.
    12. Larissa Campuzano & Mark Dynarski & Roberto Agodini & Kristina Rall, "undated". "Effectiveness of Reading and Mathematics Software Products: Findings from Two Student Cohorts," Mathematica Policy Research Reports c6255408bda44f82910991c48, Mathematica Policy Research.
    13. John Deke & Lisa Dragoset, "undated". "Statistical Power for Regression Discontinuity Designs in Education: Empirical Estimates of Design Effects Relative to Randomized Controlled Trials," Mathematica Policy Research Reports a4f1d03eb7bf427a8983d4736, Mathematica Policy Research.
    14. repec:mpr:mprres:6585 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. repec:mpr:mprres:7339 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Jill Constantine, 2009. "Evaluation of Teachers Trained Through Different Routes to Certification," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 6e759a791c77408a816add035, Mathematica Policy Research.
    17. David Greenberg & Burt S. Barnow, 2014. "Flaws in Evaluations of Social Programs," Evaluation Review, , vol. 38(5), pages 359-387, October.
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    21. Susanne James‐Burdumy & Mark Dynarski & John Deke, 2008. "After‐School Program Effects On Behavior: Results From The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program National Evaluation," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 46(1), pages 13-18, January.
    22. Edward E. Leamer, 2010. "Tantalus on the Road to Asymptopia," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(2), pages 31-46, Spring.
    23. repec:mpr:mprres:5879 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Keywords

    bias; power; randomized controlled trial; regression discontinuity design; evaluation methodology;
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