An Adaptive Targeted Field Experiment: Job Search Assistance for Refugees in Jordan

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the European Economic Association
Year: 2024
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 781-836

Authors (6)

A Stefano Caria (not in RePEc) Grant Gordon (not in RePEc) Maximilian Kasy (Harvard University) Simon Quinn (not in RePEc) Soha Osman Shami (not in RePEc) Alexander Teytelboym (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 6 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We introduce an adaptive targeted treatment assignment methodology for field experiments. Our Tempered Thompson Algorithm balances the goals of maximizing the precision of treatment effect estimates and maximizing the welfare of experimental participants. A hierarchical Bayesian model allows us to adaptively target treatments. We implement our methodology in Jordan, testing policies to help Syrian refugees and local jobseekers to find work. The immediate employment impacts of a small cash grant, information and psychological support are small, but targeting raises employment by 1 percentage-point (20%). After 4 months, cash has a sizable effect on employment and earnings of Syrians.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:jeurec:v:22:y:2024:i:2:p:781-836.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
6
Added to Database
2026-01-25