RCTs in Development Economics, Their Critics and Their Evolution

2020 ◽  
pp. 126-151
Author(s):  
Timothy Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Development Economics ◽  
Randomized Control Trials ◽  
Current State ◽  
Randomized Control

The use of Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) in development economics has attracted a consistent drumbeat of criticism, but relatively little response from so-called randomistas (other than a steadily increasing number of practitioners and papers). This chapter systematizes the critiques and discusses the difficulty in responding directly to them. Following this the chapter applies prominent RCT critic Lant Pritchett’s PDIA framework to illustrate how the RCT movement has been responsive to the critiques if not to the critics through a steady evolution of practice. Finally, the chapter assesses the current state of the RCT movement in terms of impact and productivity.

Intervention to Modify Habits: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-112
Author(s):  
Heather Fritz ◽  
Yi-Ling Hu ◽  
Kevin Gahman ◽  
Chen Almacen ◽  
Jon Ottolini
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Randomized Control Trials ◽  
Health Habits ◽  
Current State ◽  
Health Habit ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Improve Health

Intervening to change clients’ habits in the course of their everyday occupations could improve health. Habit formation interventions are an emerging area of science, however, and there is a need to better understand the current state of habit intervention research. The objective of this study is to examine the evidence related to habit formation interventions to modify health habits among adults. We performed a scoping review of peer-review articles published since January 1, 2008. The majority of the 18 studies included in the review were randomized control trials using one of two measures to assess habit change. Studies targeted a range of habits. Trial results were mixed but supportive of habit formation approaches. Through habit formation interventions, a range of everyday behaviors can become a habit. Occupational therapy professionals can use data and results generated from this review to inform the development of occupation-based habit formation treatments.

scholarly journals Replications in Development Economics

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandip Sukhtankar
Keyword(s):  
Development Economics ◽  
Citation Count ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Randomized Control Trials ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Published Paper

I examine replications of empirical papers in development economics published in the top-5 and next-5 general interest journals between the years 2000 through 2015. Of the 1,138 empirical papers, 71 papers (6.2 percent) were replicated in another published paper or working paper. The majority (77.5 percent) of replications involved reanalysis of the data using different econometric specifications to assess robustness. The strongest predictor of whether a paper is replicated or not is the paper's Google Scholar citation count, followed by year of publication. Papers based on randomized control trials (RCTs) appear to be replicated at a higher rate (12.5 percent).

EXPRESS: Comparison of Mothership versus Drip-and-Ship Models in treating patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110132
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohamed ◽  
Nida Fatima ◽  
Ashfaq Shuaib ◽  
Maher Saqqur
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Randomized Control Trials ◽  
Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Randomized Control

Introduction There is controversy if direct to comprehensive center “mothership” (MS) or stopping at primary center for thrombolysis before transfer to comprehensive center “drip-and- ship” (DS) are best models of treatment of acute stroke. In this study, we compare MS and DS models to evaluate the best option of functional outcome. Methods Studies between 1990 and 2020 were extracted from online electronic databases. We compared the clinical outcomes, critical time measurements, functional independence and mortality were then compared. Results A total of 7,824 patients’ data were retrieved from 13 publications (3 randomized control trials and 10 retrospective ones). 4,639 (59.3%) patients were treated under MS model and 3,185 (40.7%) followed the DS model with mean age of 70.01±3.58 vs. 69.03±3.36; p< 0 .001, respectively. The National Institute Health Stroke Scale was 15.57±3.83 for the MS and 15.72±2.99 for the DS model (p=<0.001). The mean symptoms onset-to-puncture time was significantly shorter in the MS group compared to the DS (159.69 min vs. 223.89 min; p=<0.001, respectively). Moreover, the collected data indicated no significant difference between symptom’s onset to intravenous (IV) thrombolysis time and stroke onset-to-successful recanalization time (p=0.205 and p=<0.001, respectively). Patients had significantly worse functional outcome [modified rankin score (mRS)] (3-6) at 90-days in the DS model [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.13-1.92, p<0.004] and 1.49-folds higher likelihood of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.22-1.81, p<0.0001) compared to MS. However, there were no statistically significant difference in terms of mortality (OR: 1.16, 95%CI: 0.87-1.55, p=0.32) and successful recanalization (OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 0.76-1.65, p=0.56) between the two models of care. Conclusion Patients in the MS model have significantly improved functional independence and recovery. Further studies are needed as the data from prospectively randomized studies is not of sufficient quality to make definite recommendations.

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