Opening Up the “Black Box” of Education Policy Research: Application of Theory-Based Impact Evaluation in Randomized Controlled Trial Studies

Tang Lei; Ma Jing; Liu Han; Yue Ai; Bai Yu; Meng Chun; Ma Chengjun

doi:10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.003

Volume 38 Issue 8

Aug. 2020

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Tang Lei, Ma Jing, Liu Han, Yue Ai, Bai Yu, Meng Chun, Ma Chengjun. Opening Up the “Black Box” of Education Policy Research: Application of Theory-Based Impact Evaluation in Randomized Controlled Trial Studies[J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 92-109. doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.003

Citation:

Tang Lei, Ma Jing, Liu Han, Yue Ai, Bai Yu, Meng Chun, Ma Chengjun. Opening Up the “Black Box” of Education Policy Research: Application of Theory-Based Impact Evaluation in Randomized Controlled Trial Studies[J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 92-109. doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.003

Citation:

Tang Lei, Ma Jing, Liu Han, Yue Ai, Bai Yu, Meng Chun, Ma Chengjun. Opening Up the “Black Box” of Education Policy Research: Application of Theory-Based Impact Evaluation in Randomized Controlled Trial Studies[J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2020, 38(8): 92-109. doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.003

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Opening Up the “Black Box” of Education Policy Research: Application of Theory-Based Impact Evaluation in Randomized Controlled Trial Studies

doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2020.08.003

1.
The Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710119, China
2.
Department of Macroeconomic Research, Development Research Center of the State Council, Beijing, 100010, China
3.
Law School, Qinghai Nationalities University, Xining, 810007, China

Publish Date: 2020-08-01

Abstract

Abstract

Impact evalution aims to understand the impact of policies/interventions on the welfare of participants. The key is to establish a causal relationship between the two (what works) and to understand the mechanism of policies/interventions (why it works). Theory-based impact evaluation (TBIE) is widely believed to help answer the question of “why it works”. TBIE clarifies the intervention mechanisms by establishing a causal chain from input to output and then to impact, and using empirical data to test the validity of the theory and potential hypotheses that may play a role in the causal chain. This paper reviews and summarizes the core concepts and principles of TBIE, and uses examples to illustrate how to apply TBIE when conducting random controlled trials.
- analysis of mechanism,
- theory of change,
- causal chain,
- impact evaluation

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References(92)

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