Survey Methodology and RCTs
Date: September 12-13, 2009
On September 12 and 13, CMF conducted a workshop with the objective of imparting basic training in survey methodology with a focus on Randomized Control Trials (RCTs). The workshop started with a presentation by Dr Thomas Bossuroy, Executive Director, J-Poverty Action Lab- South Asia, on Impact Evaluation. Bossuroy spoke about the objectives of impact evaluation and the different types of evaluation such as needs assessment, process evaluation, impact evaluation and cost benefit analysis.
After a brief insight into the different methods of impact evaluation, Bossuroy went on to talk about constructing the counterfactual, covering various methods involving simple difference, multi-variate regression, panel data and matching. He also explained RCTs in detail, starting from the basics of how to conduct such experiments and the key steps involved to the management of threats to randomization. Lakshmi Krishnan, Programme Head- CMF, addressed the workshop on research questions, methods, survey design and survey writing. This was followed by a presentation on survey technology by Dr Ajay Tannirkulam, Programme Head- CMF. He spoke about different data collection tools, design of variable lists and advantages and disadvantages of different types of technology.
