Extending the Reach of Randomized Social Experiments: New Directions in Evaluations of American Welfare-to-Work and Employment Initiatives. MDRC Working Papers on Research Methodology.
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| Title: | Extending the Reach of Randomized Social Experiments: New Directions in Evaluations of American Welfare-to-Work and Employment Initiatives. MDRC Working Papers on Research Methodology. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Riccio, James A., Bloom, Howard S., Manpower Demonstration Research Corp., New York, NY. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 27 |
| Publication Date: | 2001 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Rockefeller Foundation, New York, NY. Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, PA. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, NY. |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Change, Foreign Countries, Intervention, Policy Formation, Social Services, Welfare Reform |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom, United States |
| Abstract: | Random assignment experiments are widely used in the United States to test the effectiveness of new social interventions. This paper discusses several major welfare-to-work experiments, highlighting their evaluation from simple "black box" tests of single interventions to multi-group designs used to compare alternative interventions or to isolate the effects of components of an intervention. The paper also discusses new efforts to combine experimental and nonexperimental analyses in order to test underlying program theories and maximize the knowledge gained about the effectiveness of social programs. Researchers and policymakers in Britain may find this variety of approaches useful to consider as they debate an expanded role for social experiments. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/SLD) |
| Entry Date: | 2002 |
| Accession Number: | ED457236 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Random assignment experiments are widely used in the United States to test the effectiveness of new social interventions. This paper discusses several major welfare-to-work experiments, highlighting their evaluation from simple "black box" tests of single interventions to multi-group designs used to compare alternative interventions or to isolate the effects of components of an intervention. The paper also discusses new efforts to combine experimental and nonexperimental analyses in order to test underlying program theories and maximize the knowledge gained about the effectiveness of social programs. Researchers and policymakers in Britain may find this variety of approaches useful to consider as they debate an expanded role for social experiments. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/SLD) |
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