This video is from the annual Cathie Marsh memorial lecture (21 November 2013), which is a long-standing annual event named in honour of an inspirational social scientist. It is organised jointly by the Royal Statistical Society and the SRA.
Abstract: What is the value for social policy evaluation of the randomised controlled trial (RCT), a model of experimentation drawn from the natural sciences? Will this initiate “a revolution in the production and use of evidence”, to quote Ben Goldacre, or do different circumstances call for different approaches? What are the issues in the use of RCTs for evaluating social policy?
Speakers: Leon Feinstein, director of evidence at the Early Intervention Foundation; Jeremy Hardie, LSE, author, economist and lecturer.
Chair: Patrick Sturgis, professor of research methodology at the University of Southampton and Director of NCRM.