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Place Randomized Trials: Experimental Tests of Public Policy
Edited by Robert Boruch
About “Place Randomized Trials”
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.
Publication information
Sage Publications
ISBN 1-4129-2581-9
Hardcover, $46.00
ISBN 1-4129-2582-7
Softcover, $33.00 ORDER
292 pages
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