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2019
- handle: 10670/1.yx3m0q
- ird-02112849
- doi: 10.1111/dech.12378
- IRD: fdi:010075735
Ce document est lié à :
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1111/dech.12378
info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess
Mots-clés
Randomized control trials methodology epistemology Impact evaluation Randomised control trials Experimental method Political economy Development JEL codes: A11 B41 C18 C93 O10 D72Sujets proches
State trials Economic theory Political economyCiter ce document
Florent Bédécarrats et al., « All that glitters is not gold : the political economy of randomized evaluations in development », HAL-SHS : économie et finance, ID : 10.1111/dech.12378
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Résumé
Randomized control trials (RCTs) have a narrow scope, restricted to basic intervention schemes. Experimental designs also display specific biases and political uses when implemented in the real world. Despite these limitations, the method has been advertised as the gold standard to evaluate development policies. This article adopts a political economy approach to explore this paradox. It argues that the success of RCTs is driven mainly by a new scientific business model based on a mix of simplicity and mathematical rigour, media and donor appeal, and academic and financial returns. This in turn meets current interests and preferences in the academic world and the donor community.