This research program uses innovative methods to carry out systematic, rigorous impact evaluations of its projects. Such program evaluation serves several functions:
- it determines the effectiveness of the program design and the efficiency of the investment;
- it identifies design and implementation issues requiring change or improvement;
- it explains how people view the program and respond to it, including why they do or do not respond to program incentives; and
- it increases transparency, making government more accountable.
The evaluations use a variety of methods, including the collection of quantitative longitudinal household and individual data, randomized or quasi-randomized designs, focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and ethnographic community and household case studies.
The mixing of various state-of-the-art methods and disciplines is critical for a full understanding of impacts and effectiveness of the projects we evaluate.