TY - JOUR AU - Duflo,Esther AU - Glennerster,Rachel AU - Kremer,Michael TI - Using Randomization in Development Economics Research: A Toolkit JF - National Bureau of Economic Research Technical Working Paper Series VL - No. 333 PY - 2006 Y2 - December 2006 UR - http://www.nber.org/papers/t0333 L1 - http://www.nber.org/papers/t0333.pdf N1 - Author contact info: Esther Duflo Department of Economics MIT, E52-252G 50 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02142 Tel: 617/258-7013 Fax: 617/253-6915 E-Mail: eduflo@mit.edu Rachel Glennerster Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab MIT Department of Economics E60-275 Cambridge MA 02139 Tel: 617 324 0098 E-Mail: rglenner@mit.edu Michael Kremer Harvard University Department of Economics Littauer Center M20 Cambridge, MA 02138 Tel: 617/495-9145 Fax: 617/495-7730 E-Mail: mkremer@fas.harvard.edu AB - This paper is a practical guide (a toolkit) for researchers, students and practitioners wishing to introduce randomization as part of a research design in the field. It first covers the rationale for the use of randomization, as a solution to selection bias and a partial solution to publication biases. Second, it discusses various ways in which randomization can be practically introduced in a field settings. Third, it discusses designs issues such as sample size requirements, stratification, level of randomization and data collection methods. Fourth, it discusses how to analyze data from randomized evaluations when there are departures from the basic framework. It reviews in particular how to handle imperfect compliance and externalities. Finally, it discusses some of the issues involved in drawing general conclusions from randomized evaluations, including the necessary use of theory as a guide when designing evaluations and interpreting results. ER -