Methods Matter: Improving Causal Inference in Educational and Social Science Research

by Richard J. Murnane, John B. Willett

Educational policy-makers around the world constantly make decisions about how to use scarce resources to improve the education of children. Unfortunately, their decisions are rarely informed by evidence on the consequences of these initiatives in other settings. Nor are decisions typically accompanied by well-formulated plans to evaluate their causal impacts. As a result, knowledge about what works in different situations has been very slow to accumulate.Over the last several decades, advances in research methodology, administrative record keeping, and statistical software have dramatically increased the potential for researchers to conduct compelling evaluations of the causal impacts of educational interventions, and the number of well-designed studies is growing. Written in clear, concise prose, Methods Improving Causal Inference in Educational and Social Science Research offers essential guidance for those who evaluate educational policies. Using numerous examples of high-quality studies that have evaluated the causal impacts of important educational interventions, the authors go beyond the simple presentation of new analytical methods to discuss the controversies surrounding each study, and provide heuristic explanations that are also broadly accessible. Murnane and Willett offer strong methodological insights on causal inference, while also examining the consequences of a wide variety of educational policies implemented in the U.S. and abroad. Representing a unique contribution to the literature surrounding educational research, this landmark text will be invaluable for students and researchers in education and public policy, as well as those interested in social science.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Academic, Research

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2010

Reviews

[Gary Beck Dallaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay book. There are some good points raised about striving to do randomized experiments in education, but found it of little value when thinking of these examples in terms of higher education. This is an example of how some of the work educational psychologists do with primary school children is not easily adapted or possible in higher education.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written textbook.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic work on causal inference in social science. I am a communication scholar, but I found the education examples easy to follow and helpful.

Those reading this book should have taken some courses in statistics, but it is easy to follow, mostly conceptual and not math-centric. It has really helped me to think through a few of my projects and has made me excited and confident to do work that can more convincingly make causal claims.

[Andreas Engström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Causality, correlation, and a bunch of methods etc. Mainly for economists

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book laid out causal methods in a very conceptual way. I only wish I had read it sooner! I will definitely keep this around as a reference. I highly recommend this to anyone who is learning about policy analysis.

[Richard Knepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice clear picture of evaluation research and techniques for introducing endogeneity, and those that don't, like stratifying and propensity score matching.

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a general rule, I keep academic books (and especially those about methods) off my Goodreads account... but this masterpiece deserved an exception. Murnane and Willett, I salute you.