Recognizing and Conducting Opportunistic Experiments in Education: A Guide for Policymakers and Researchers

Title:	Recognizing and Conducting Opportunistic Experiments in Education: A Guide for Policymakers and Researchers
Description:	Opportunistic experiments are type of randomized controlled trial that study the effects of a planned intervention or policy change with minimal added disruption and cost. This guide defines opportunistic experiments and provides examples, discusses issues to consider when identifying potential opportunistic experiments, and outlines the critical steps to complete opportunistic experiments. It concludes with a discussion of the potentially low cost of conducting opportunistic experiments and the potentially high cost of not conducting them. Readers will also find a checklist of key questions to consider when conducting opportunistic experiments.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (453KB)
Cover Date:	May 2014
Web Release:	May 6, 2014
Print Release:	May 6, 2014
Publication #:	REL 20140037 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	REL
Associated Centers:	NCEE
Authors:	Alexandra Resch, Jillian Berk, and Lauren Akers: Mathematica Policy Research
Type of Product:	Applied Research Methods
Keywords:	Randomized Control Trials
Questions:	For questions about the content of this Applied Research Methods, please contact: NCES WebMaster.