Current:Home > BackHow randomized trials and the town of Busia, Kenya changed economics-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
How randomized trials and the town of Busia, Kenya changed economics
View Date:2024-12-23 21:07:25
In the early 90s, when a young economist named Michael Kremer finished his PhD, there had been a few economic studies based on randomized trials. But they were rare. In part because randomized trials – in which you recruit two statistically identical groups, choose one of them to get a treatment, and then compare what happens to each group – are expensive, and they take a lot of time.
But then, by chance, Michael had the opportunity to run a randomized trial in Busia, Kenya. He helped a nonprofit test whether the aid they were giving to local schools helped the students. That study paved the way for more randomized trials, and for other economists to use the method.
On today's show, how Busia, Kenya, became the place where economists pioneered a more scientific way to study huge problems, from contaminated water to low graduation rates, to HIV transmission. And how that research changed government programs and aid efforts around the world.
This episode was produced by James Sneed with help from Willa Rubin. It was engineered by James Willetts. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Molly Messick. Jess Jiang is our acting executive producer.
Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or anywhere you get podcasts.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Music: "Smoke and Mirrors," "Slowmotio," and "Icy Boy."
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Louisiana mom arrested for making false kidnapping report after 'disagreement' with son
- Michigan finishes at No. 1, Georgia jumps to No. 3 in college football's final US LBM Coaches Poll
- Russia says it's detained U.S. citizen Robert Woodland on drug charges that carry possible 20-year sentence
- When are the Emmy Awards? What to know about the host, 2024 nominees and predicted winners
- Who is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman Donald Trump picked to serve as attorney general?
- Lawyers may face discipline for criticizing a judge’s ruling in discrimination case
- Jimmy John's Kickin' Ranch is leaving. Here's how you can get a bottle of it for 1 cent.
- US defends its veto of call for Gaza ceasefire while Palestinians and others demand halt to fighting
- IAT Community Introduce
- Horoscopes Today, January 9, 2024
Ranking
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responds to CeeDee Lamb's excuse about curtains at AT&T Stadium
- Tupac Shakur murder suspect bail set, can serve house arrest ahead of trial
- Massachusetts family killed as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, police say
- DeSantis says nominating Trump would make 2024 a referendum on the ex-president rather than Biden
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- RHOSLC Reunion: Heather Gay Reveals Shocking Monica Garcia Recording Amid Trolling Scandal
- Armed attack during live broadcast at Ecuadorian TV station. What’s behind the spiraling violence?
- As DeSantis and Haley face off in Iowa GOP debate, urgency could spark fireworks
Recommendation
-
Officer injured at Ferguson protest shows improvement, transferred to rehab
-
Nebraska upsets No. 1 Purdue, which falls in early Big Ten standings hole
-
Tupac Shakur murder suspect bail set, can serve house arrest ahead of trial
-
NRA lawyer says gun rights group is defendant and victim at civil trial over leader’s big spending
-
Solawave Black Friday Sale: Don't Miss Buy 1, Get 1 Free on Age-Defying Red Light Devices
-
Save 50% on a Year’s Worth of StriVectin Tightening Neck Cream and Say Goodbye to Tech Neck Forever
-
Virginia police pull driver out of burning car after chase, bodycam footage shows
-
No charges to be filed in death of toddler who fell into cistern during day care at Vermont resort