Institutional Delivery Agent Variation in Training Execution

In Simple Words

This is like testing whether a driving lesson is more effective when taught by a private driving instructor versus an official license bureau examiner. Comparing both reveals which teacher instills greater confidence and clearer understanding.

Research question

Public social protection schemes often struggle with low uptake due to uncertainty over whether non-governmental organizations or local civil servants are more effective at training citizens to navigate bureaucracy.

Participants

6,000 surveyed households across 300 Gram Panchayats in 30 blocks of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Study Design

Factorial RCT varying trainer identity (PRADAN NGO staff vs. government MGNREGS staff) and participant saturation (25% vs. 75% per Gram Panchayat).

Results

Randomized evaluation across 300 Gram Panchayats to measure differential training effectiveness and program enrollment between NGO and public sector facilitators.

Takeaway

Evaluate program rollout through a split-sample trial comparing NGO staff against local government officers to determine the most effective delivery agent.

Read alongside the research

Plain-English glossary

Original explanations, informed by the references below. Examples are illustrations, not data from the studies above. The research text stays unchanged.

Randomized controlled trial

A study that uses chance, like drawing lots, to decide who receives each option being compared. Researchers compare the groups’ outcomes to estimate the effect of those options.

ExampleA lottery assigns volunteers to a training programme or a comparison group. Researchers then compare their outcomes.

GET-IT glossary · Randomized study ↗Read more about randomized controlled trial →

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