The A2J Lab has developed a short (1 to 1.5-day) course for empirical researchers (and other scholars) to understand how RCT field operations can be applied to legal questions. Topics include:
I. Fundamentals of RCTs: Definitions of key concepts and discussions of non-randomized studies that went wrong
II. Persuading Stakeholders: Discussing how to engage with players in the field who may not understand the benefits of randomization
III. Interacting with IRBs: Handling the process of drafting and obtaining approval for a research protocol
IV. Types of Outcomes and Measurement: Reviewing the various results of interests depending on the study’s purpose and design as well as where one might obtain the necessary data generated by the field experiment
V. Analytical Techniques: A non-quantitative overview of causal inference methods
VI. Common Problems: Conclusion with logistical and analytical obstacles of which field researchers should be aware
For more information, contact the A2J Lab at a2jlab[at]law.harvard.edu.