Research Design for Program Evaluation

Evaluating with the Regression-Discontinuity approach has been used mainly within the context of compensatory education. Yet this approach is one of the strongest methodological alternatives to randomized experiments for accurately studying the effects of social programmes. Trochim thoroughly examines the Regression-Discontinuity approach as an applied research technique -- its design, its application, and its strengths -- and 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.