Knowledge of causal effects is of great importance to decision makers in a wide variety of
settings. In many cases, however, these causal effects are not known to the decision makers …

In this paper, we discuss recent developments in econometrics that we view as important for
empirical researchers working on policy evaluation questions. We focus on three main …

When do children become unequal in reading and math skills? Some research claims that
inequality grows mainly before school begins. Some research claims that schools cause …

Several recent low-cost interventions demonstrate that simplifying information about college
and financial aid and helping students access professional assistance can generate …

This paper provides an introduction and “user guide” to Regression Discontinuity (RD)
designs for empirical researchers. It presents the basic theory behind the research design …

In regression discontinuity (RD) designs for evaluating causal effects of interventions,
assignment to a treatment is determined at least partly by the value of an observed covariate …

It is common in regression discontinuity analysis to control for third, fourth, or higher-degree
polynomials of the forcing variable. There appears to be a perception that such methods are …

This meta-analysis reviewed research on summer reading interventions conducted in the
United States and Canada from 1998 to 2011. The synthesis included 41 classroom-and …

Abstract Two recent papers, Deaton (2009) and Heckman and Urzua (2009), argue against
what they see as an excessive and inappropriate use of experimental and quasi …

Cualquier forma de reproducción, distribución, comunicación pública o trasformación de
esta obra solo puede ser utilizada con la autorización de sus titulares, salvo excepción …