Is Esther Duflo's RCT method criticized?
Yes, our reliance on randomized controlled trials is sometimes met with critique. Some argue that RCTs are too narrowly focused on specific problems and may not capture the broader systemic issues that perpetuate poverty. Others point to the potential for high costs and the challenges of scaling up successful interventions discovered through experiments. While we acknowledge these limitations and the importance of complementary qualitative research and policy analysis, we maintain that RCTs provide an indispensable tool for establishing causality and building a solid foundation of evidence for effective poverty reduction strategies.
Ask Esther Duflo the follow-up →