Randomised controlled trials aren’t just for medicine and pharmaceuticals – they can also help put our taxes to better use in properly evaluated government programs.
We pay our taxes, then governments spend them. But where does all that money go? And how much of it is wasted? Well, where it goes is no secret, but how much of it does little to benefit us is something we don’t really know. Why not? Because we put so little effort into finding out.
No, the trouble isn’t that workers in the public sector aren’t working hard. It’s that they can be working away on programs that seem like they should be delivering for taxpayers, but aren’t.. First, parents are more likely to get their kids to school if threatened with the loss of government payments. Second, testing students’ literacy is an accurate way to assess their ability.
Yet more researchers – in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney – found that, despite the students’ involvement in designing the Health4Life program, it had no effect on alcohol use, smoking, screen time, physical inactivity, poor diet or poor sleep. “The problems with evaluation start from the outset of program and policy design,” it said. Across the board, the committee estimated that fewer than 1.5 per cent of government evaluations use a randomised design.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Forget smaller government, let’s shoot for better governmentRandomised controlled trials aren’t just for medicine and pharmaceuticals – they can also help put our taxes to better use in properly evaluated government programs.
Read more »
Simmons reality that is ‘easy to forget’ as ‘uncertainty’ surrounds Aussie star’s NBA futureBasketball: Andrew Bogut believes the Boomers will face an uphill battle to replicate their medal success of Tokyo at the Paris Olympic Games.
Read more »
Attending my friends' stillborn baby's funeral was a privilege I won't forgetMeeting and spending time with Oliver and his parents, it felt natural to be there and support my friends. To see Oliver and say his name, to hear his story from the time they had together.
Read more »
If Labor and the LNP hope you forget (bits of) the past, what’s the future?Queensland’s budget week has taught us at least one thing: the major parties want October’s election to be a contest of ideas. Here’s what’s on offer so far.
Read more »
Forget fairness: AFL’s fixture of inequities and quirks does the sport few favoursThere has to be a better way to schedule the season with a balance between commercial imperatives, high performance and fairness
Read more »
Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown (and Origin)After two Origin games, it’s getting harder to see exactly what playing role Michael Maguire has in mind for his captain. But would the Blues coach be game to leave Jake Trbojevic out for the decider? Inconceivable.
Read more »