Place Randomized Trials : Experimental Tests of Public Policy

by Robert F. Boruch

• ISBN13: 9781412925815
• ISBN10: 1412925819
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-05-01
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

The phrase "evidence-based policy" is frequently used, but it's crucial that such claims are scrutinized and validated. When the data on social and behavioral interventions are presented, high-quality evidence must be clearly defined and the methodology behind such studies held to rigorous standards.Both the Cochrane Collaboration 'focusing on healthcare ' and the international Campbell Collaboration ' concentrating on criminal justice, education, and social services ' were created to develop, maintain and improve detailed guidelines for producing high-quality systematic reviews. And both organizations emphasize randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions.As a springboard from the Campbell Collaboration initiative and supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, this special issue of The Annals includes a thorough review of randomized tests across a variety of studies. Exploring significant dimensions of place randomized trials (also called cluster randomized trials or group randomized trials), these papers shed light on recent efforts to enhance the quality of designing such trials as well as on results reporting.The research topics included in this volume are diverse. Taken together, these papers offer important insight into the nuts and bolts of conducting randomized trials: the significance of place in trials; how such studies are initiated; the incentives and justifications needed by participants; how to overcome challenges of implementation; and where to find out what studies have already been conducted or are currently underway.While providing far-reaching insight into the topic of randomized testing, these papers also identify new issues and key questions to be further addressed in future research. Scholars and policymakers alike will find this collection of rigorous research essential in understanding the implications of current evidence-based policies as well as a guidepost for designing and conducting new studies.

Table of Contents

Better Evaluation for Evidence-Based Policy and Practice

Place Randomized Trials in Education, Crime, Welfare, and Prevention

Using Place-Based Random Assignment and Comparative Interrupted Time-Series

Analysis to Evaluate the Jobs-Plus Employment

Program for Public Housing Residents

HIV Prevention Among Women in Low-Income Housing Developments

Issues and Intervention Outcomes in Place-Based Randomized

Controlled Trial

Cluster Randomized Trials of Professional and Organizational Behavior

Change Interventions in Health Care Settings

Cluster Randomized Trials for the Evaluation of Strategies Designed to Promote Evidence-Based

Practice in Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine

Historical Review of School-Based Randomized Trials for Evaluating

Problem Behavior Prevention Programs

Place-Based Randomized Trials to Test the Effects on Instructional

Practices of a Mathematics/Science Professional Development

Program for Teachers

Emergent Principles for the Design, Implementation, and Analysis of Cluster-Based

Experiments in Social Science

Randomization and Social Program Evaluation

The Case of Progresa

Hot Spots Policing Experiments and Criminal Justice Research

Lessons From the Field

Introducing New Contraceptives in Rural China

A Field Experiment

Quick Read Synopsis

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