RCTs as an opportunity to promote interdisciplinary, inclusive, and diverse quantitative development research

Abstract The limitations of Randomized Controlled Trials as a research method have been well documented. Here we highlight one overlooked benefit of experimental research: a well-designed RCT requires in-depth knowledge of local customs and context, which brings researchers to the field and creates opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, between academics and policymakers, and among Northern and Southern researchers. Such collaborations have the potential to greatly enrich development scholarship. We illustrate our point with data from recent published papers in development economics, and conclude that RCTs, as one tool among many, can help promote more interdisciplinary, inclusive, and diverse quantitative development research.