Labour Economics and Social Policy:
Program and Policy Evaluation and Design
Program and policy evaluation and design (PPED) involves the application of experimental and quasi-experimental empirical methodologies to evaluate outcomes from government policies and programs.
These methodologies primarily involve a comparison of outcomes between a ‘treatment’ group who have participated in, or been directly affected by, a government program or policy, and a ‘control’ group of non-participants.
Researchers use the PPED methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of previous or existing policies, and to predict the outcomes of proposed policies.
Potential applications of this methodology extend to almost all areas of government activity. For example, several international studies have examined:
- How participation in labour market programs affects subsequent employment and earnings outcomes
- The effects of anti-poverty programs
- The effects of compulsory schooling attendance legislation
- Whether minimum wages affect employment, and
- The effects of mandated maternity benefits on female employment and earnings.
Ongoing projects
- Ending long-term homelessness permanently: How to make effective links between housing and long-term support
- A benefit–cost analysis of the Early Years Education Program
Projects completed in 2016
Projects completed in 2014
Projects completed in 2011
- Activation and welfare dependency
- Improving employment outcomes in early psychosis: Social and economic benefits of early intervention
Projects completed in 2008
- Working credits – A low cost alternative to universal income tax credits?
- Experimental evaluation of YP4 – Are ‘joining up’ services for homeless and jobless people a net benefit to society?
Projects completed in 2005
- Development and teaching of a special course on policy and program evaluation and design
- Experimental and quasi-experimental methods of microeconomic program and policy evaluation
- The effects of smoking ban regulations on smoking behaviour
Projects completed in 2004
Projects completed in 2003
- Effect of changes to activity test arrangements on exit from payments:
- Part A: Mutual obligation
- Part B: Intensive review (Working Paper 25/2003)
- Part C: Job Seeker Diary (Working Paper 27/2003)
- Part D: Work for the Dole (Working Paper 14/2004)