Field Experiments in Political Science and Public Policy: Practical Lessons in Design and Delivery / Edition 1

by Peter John

Overview

Field experiments — randomized controlled trials — have become ever more popular in political science, as well as in other disciplines, such as economics, social policy and development. Policy-makers have also increasingly used randomization to evaluate public policies, designing trials of tax reminders, welfare policies and international aid programs to name just a few of the interventions tested in this way. Field experiments have become successful because they assess causal claims in ways that other methods of evaluation find hard to emulate.

Social scientists and evaluators have rediscovered how to design and analyze field experiments, but they have paid much less attention to the challenges of organizing and managing them. Field experiments pose unique challenges and opportunities for the researcher and evaluator which come from working in the field. The research experience can be challenging and at times hard to predict. This book aims to help researchers and evaluators plan and manage their field experiments so they can avoid common pitfalls. It is also intended to open up discussion about the context and backdrop to trials so that these practical aspects of field experiments are better understood.

The book sets out ten steps researchers can use to plan their field experiments, then nine threats to watch out for when they implement them. There are cases studies of voting and political participation, elites, welfare and employment, nudging citizens, and developing countries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138776838
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/09/2017
Series:	Routledge Studies in Experimental Political Science
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter John is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy in the Department of Political Science, University College London. He is an expert in the study of public policy, and has pioneered the use of experiments in the study of civic participation in the UK.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Experimentation in the Field: Opportunities and Constraints

Chapter Two: Essential Steps for the Design of Field Experiments

Chapter Three: Implementing Field Experiments

Chapter Four: A Brief History of Field Experimentation

Chapter Five: Experiments on Voting and Political Participation

Chapter Six: Experiments on Elites

Chapter Seven: Experiments in Welfare and Employment

Chapter Eight: Nudging Citizens

Chapter Nine: Field Experiments in Developing Countries

Chapter Ten: Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

'In this lively and accessible book, Peter John has shared with readers a wealth of practical guidance that comes from years and years of field experimentation in political science and public policy. Every researcher should heed its advice before venturing into the field.' - Donald P. Green, Columbia University, USA

'Experiments are revolutionizing what we think we know about many aspects of politics. This volume contributes nicely to this body of work by extending the focus to critical questions of public policy. This is a timely and important book.' - Costas Panagopoulos, Fordham University, USA

From the Publisher