The Power and Pitfalls of Experiments in Development Economics: Some Non-Random Reflections

Applied Economic Perspectives and Policies, 2010

Posted: 23 May 2011

See all articles by Christopher B. Barrett

Christopher B. Barrett

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

Michael Carter

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: October 1, 2010

Abstract

Impact evaluation based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) offers a powerful tool that has fundamentally reshaped development economics by offering novel solutions to long-standing problems of weak causal identification. Nonetheless, RCTs suffer important and under-appreciated pitfalls, some of which are intrinsic to the method when applied to economic problems, others that are the result of methodological boosterism. Among the pitfalls are ethical dilemmas, uncontrollable treatments that result in a ‘faux exogeneity,’ distortion of the research agenda, and a tendency to estimate interventions' abstract efficacy rather than their effectiveness in practice. We illustrate these points through the literature on smallholder capital access and productivity growth. Ultimately, we argue for a methodological pluralism that recognizes all identification strategies' limitations.

Keywords: Ethics, evaluation, identification, randomized controlled trials

JEL Classification: A10, B00, O10, O30

Suggested Citation

Barrett, Christopher B. and Carter, Michael, The Power and Pitfalls of Experiments in Development Economics: Some Non-Random Reflections (October 1, 2010). Applied Economic Perspectives and Policies, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1845783

Christopher B. Barrett (Contact Author)

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management ( email )

315 Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-7801
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607-255-4489 (Phone)
607-255-9984 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/cbb2/

Michael Carter

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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