{"product_id":"mismeasuring-impact-how-randomized-controlled-trials-threaten-the-nonprofit-sector-9781503634657","title":"Mismeasuring Impact: How Randomized Controlled Trials Threaten the Nonprofit Sector","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe hidden dangers of randomized controlled trials\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe need to demonstrate the effectiveness of nonprofit social programs has led to a rapid rise in the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), for evaluation. As a result, most nonprofit sector professionals can tell you why nonprofits should do an RCT. This book tells you why they probably shouldn't, and what to do instead.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMismeasuring Impact\u003c\/i\u003e explores why RCTs are being embraced as the \"gold standard\" for nonprofit evaluation, despite the high cost and time investment required and the serious problems with using RCTs in a nonprofit context. (Most RCTs conducted in nonprofits fail to meet required standards for rigor, undercutting their accuracy). The book describes what happens inside nonprofits when they take part in RCTs, the unintended equity issues that arise, and why nonprofits feel pressured participate in RCTs despite the problems.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUniversity of Chicago professors Marwell and Mosley's research is based on extensive interviews with key players: nonprofit managers, professional program evaluators, and program officers in philanthropic foundations. The book argues that, ultimately, RCTs are used to poorly ground nonprofit legitimacy, not to foster nonprofit improvement. RCTs also privilege program and organizational standardization over the key strengths of nonprofit organizations: flexible innovation and responsiveness to community needs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNonprofits and funders need forms of evaluation that lift up these strengths. \u003ci\u003eMismeasuring Impact\u003c\/i\u003e offers alternative approaches that build strong organizations, not just cookie-cutter programs, and which funders and nonprofits of all sizes can support.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNicole P. Marwell\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eJennifer E. Mosley\u003c\/b\u003e are Professors at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago. Their research on nonprofit organizations has been published widely in leading journals in the fields of nonprofit studies, sociology, public administration, and social work.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Stanford Business Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51454088806674,"sku":"9781503634657","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c7c37f4e-a0ca-4c6a-8137-dff088aab63a.jpg?v=1751994828","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/mismeasuring-impact-how-randomized-controlled-trials-threaten-the-nonprofit-sector-9781503634657","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}