Research Design for Program Evaluation: The Regression-Discontinuity Approach

Evaluating with the Regression-Discontinuity approach has been used mainly within the context of compensatory education (where children in greatest need of additional instruction are targeted to receive instruction). Yet this approach is one of the strongest methodological alternatives to randomized experiments when studying the effects of social programmes with some degree of accuracy. Trochim thoroughly examines the Regression-Discontinuity approach in applied social research as an applied research technique -- its design, its application, and its strengths. Differences between strategies of allocation are critical when trying to evaluate the effects resources have on people's lives, and when limited resources are to be shared out most fairly. The author concludes that the Research-Discontinuity approach is most useful when attempting to make compatible the political and social goals of allocating scarce resources in education, medicine, or in awarding scholarships.Trochim, William M. K. is the author of 'Research Design for Program Evaluation: The Regression-Discontinuity Approach', published 1984 under ISBN 9780803920378 and ISBN 0803920377.