Current:Home > MarketsHow randomized trials and the town of Busia, Kenya changed economics-LoTradeCoin
How randomized trials and the town of Busia, Kenya changed economics
View Date:2024-12-23 22:00:05
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! (24)
Related
- Police cruiser strikes and kills a bicyclist pulling a trailer in Vermont
- Horoscopes Today, May 7, 2024
- Eurovision 2024: First 10 countries secure spot in Grand Final
- 3 things we learned from Disney's latest earnings report
- Will Reeve, son of Christopher Reeve, gets engaged to girlfriend Amanda Dubin
- Future of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays to come into focus with key meetings on $1.3B stadium project
- Final Baltimore bridge collapse victim recovered river, police confirm
- Bits and Pieces of Whoopi Goldberg
- UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
- Beyoncé's mom, Tina Knowles, gives adorable update on twins Rumi and Sir Carter
Ranking
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- The Department of Agriculture Rubber-Stamped Tyson’s “Climate Friendly” Beef, but No One Has Seen the Data Behind the Company’s Claim
- Justin Timberlake Reacts to Jessica Biel’s Over-the-Top Met Gala Gown
- Kourtney Kardashian Shares Beautiful Moment Between Travis Barker and Son Rocky
- Horoscopes Today, November 9, 2024
- Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US
- Get a $200 Peter Thomas Roth Eye Concentrate for $38, 50% Off J.Crew Swimwear & 89 More Deals
- 'The Voice': Team Dan + Shay leads with 3 singers in Top 9, including Instant Save winner
Recommendation
-
Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
-
Georgia appeals court agrees to review ruling allowing Fani Willis to stay on Trump election case
-
Keep Up With Kendall Jenner's 2 Jaw-Dropping Met Gala After-Party Looks
-
Judge: Alabama groups can sue over threat of prosecution for helping with abortion travel
-
Keke Palmer Says Ryan Murphy “Ripped” Into Her Over Scream Queens Schedule
-
Get A $188 Blazer For $74 & So Much At J. Crew Factory’s Sale, Where Everything Is Up To 60% Off
-
You Missed Kim Kardashian's Bizarre Shoe Detail at 2024 Met Gala
-
Teacher who allegedly sent nude photos to 15-year-old boy resigns from Texas school: Reports