Brief Randomized Controlled Trials and Financial Capability
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Why, When, and How
Brett Theodos, Margaret Simms, Rachel Brash, Claudia Ayanna Sharygin, Dina Emam
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Financial capability programs have proliferated in recent years, but rigorous research into which programs and methods are effective has not kept pace. Practitioners, policymakers, and funders are increasingly calling for rigorous financial capability research, including randomized controlled trial studies (RCTs), which can produce the highest standard of evidence. In April 2013, the Urban Institute and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau hosted a roundtable on the benefits and challenges of financial capability RCTs. The group agreed that RCTs are most suitable for well-established and scalable programs. Frontline staff should be fully invested in the study and involved in designing implementation and data-collection strategies.

Research and Evidence Housing and Communities Tax and Income Supports Research to Action Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Expertise Families Wealth and Financial Well-Being Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Tags Asset and debts Economic well-being Data and technology capacity of nonprofits