"Randomistas: How Radical Researchers Changed Our World" by Andrew Leigh explores the transformative power of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in various fields, from medicine to criminology to international aid. Leigh argues that rigorous experimentation has become one of humanity’s best tools for distinguishing what genuinely works from what simply sounds good. Through a series of compelling stories and case studies, he illustrates how RCTs have saved lives, improved education, and informed better policy decisions. The book is accessible and engaging, making a strong case for embracing scientific curiosity and careful testing in everyday problem-solving.
Questioning assumptions leads to better understanding and progress.
Randomized controlled trials can expose hidden truths, separating effective solutions from ineffective ones.
Rigorous testing isn’t just for scientists; everyone can adopt experimental thinking in their daily lives to improve decision-making.
The book was published in: 2018
AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 87
Leigh describes a trial in Kenya where children were given deworming medication at random. The trial found that students who received the treatment not only had fewer health problems, but also attended school more regularly and achieved better educational outcomes. The study's impact went well beyond Kenya, influencing global policy on mass deworming programs.
Randomized trials in the United States tested the effectiveness of police body cameras in reducing the use of force. By selecting some officers at random to wear cameras, researchers found that both complaints and incidents of force decreased. This provided strong evidence for implementing body camera programs more widely.
Leigh recounts how RCTs tested the widely popular Scared Straight program, which aimed to deter juvenile crime by exposing teens to life in prison. Surprisingly, these trials revealed that the programs increased, rather than decreased, crime rates among participants, demonstrating the importance of empirical testing over intuition.
In Kenya, a trial tested the impact of simply supplying more textbooks to under-resourced schools. Results showed minimal improvement in average student achievement, but significant gains among top-performing students. This highlighted the need for more nuanced educational interventions.
Leigh discusses randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of microcredit in combating poverty. Contrary to popular belief, these studies showed that providing small loans to the poor produces more modest effects than often claimed, encouraging aid organizations to re-evaluate their strategies.
by Michael Luca and Max H. Bazerman
AI Rating: 85
AI Review: This book examines how experiments are being applied outside science, such as in tech and business, to guide decisions. It offers practical advice and compelling case studies, making it a great companion to Leigh’s work for readers interested in experimentation in everyday life.
View Insightsby Andrew Leigh
AI Rating: 87
AI Review: The very book under analysis, Leigh’s work is an accessible account of how randomized testing has shaped policy and improved lives, offering a wealth of real-world examples and lessons on evidence-based decision making.
View Insightsby Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo
AI Rating: 95
AI Review: A landmark book on the use of RCTs in international development, this title explores why the poor make the decisions they do and rigorously examines which anti-poverty programs work best. It is engaging, deeply researched, and has transformed policy worldwide.
View Insightsby Uri Gneezy and John List
AI Rating: 90
AI Review: Gneezy and List explore real-world economics through field experiments, uncovering surprising truths about what motivates people at work and play. The book is insightful and highly readable, making experimental economics tangible for the general audience.
View Insightsby Daniel Kahneman
AI Rating: 97
AI Review: This bestseller explores the two systems that drive the way we think, grounding its claims in decades of behavioral experiments. It is seminal for anyone interested in decision-making, rationality, and the limits of intuition.
View Insightsby Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
AI Rating: 93
AI Review: Thaler and Sunstein reveal how small design changes based on behavioral science can dramatically improve lives. Their exploration of 'choice architecture' is both practical and deeply influential.
View Insightsby Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
AI Rating: 85
AI Review: This follow-up to Freakonomics dives deeper into the unexpected results of large-scale social and economic experiments. Levitt and Dubner use storytelling and data to challenge prevailing wisdom on a range of topics.
View Insightsby Stefan H. Thomke
AI Rating: 88
AI Review: Focusing on experimentation in the business world, Thomke unlocks the value of running digital and real-world tests to foster innovation. It’s practical, well-structured, and valuable for leaders and innovators.
View Insightsby Nancy Cartwright and Jeremy Hardie
AI Rating: 82
AI Review: A thoughtful examination of the challenges and opportunities in applying evidence-based approaches to real-world policy problems, this book complements Leigh's work by diving deeper into philosophical and methodological issues.
View Insightsby Rachel Glennerster and Kudzai Takavarasha
AI Rating: 84
AI Review: A concise and clear introduction to how randomized evaluation changed development economics, focusing on practical design and execution of experiments in lower-income countries.
View Insightsby Karl Popper
AI Rating: 89
AI Review: Though more philosophical, Popper’s foundational work on the scientific method and falsifiability underpins the rationale for randomized testing. Essential for readers interested in the underlying logic of experimentation.
View Insightsby Tim Harford
AI Rating: 91
AI Review: Harford provides an engaging guide to thinking critically about data, statistics, and the stories they tell. It is especially well-suited for general readers interested in evidence-based insights and analytical skepticism.
View Insightsby John Kay
AI Rating: 80
AI Review: Kay argues that ambitious goals are best reached through indirect routes, often discovered through trial, error, and empirical testing. This thoughtful exploration aligns well with the experimental ethos of "Randomistas."
View Insightsby Tim Harford
AI Rating: 93
AI Review: A masterclass in statistical reasoning, Harford selects ten rules for interpreting numbers and evidence, using vivid anecdotes and investigations. It’s witty, practical, and empowering for evidence-minded readers.
View Insightsby Iris Bohnet
AI Rating: 88
AI Review: Bohnet applies behavioral insights and randomized experiments to the persistent problem of workplace gender inequality. It’s data-driven, solutions-oriented, and highly readable.
View Insightsby David P. MacKinnon
AI Rating: 83
AI Review: MacKinnon provides a practical guide to designing and interpreting RCTs for students and practitioners alike. The book’s detailed advice and examples bridge theory and practice across sectors.
View Insightsby Annie Lowrey
AI Rating: 84
AI Review: Focusing on universal basic income, Lowrey uses experimental and real-world evidence to examine the impacts of giving cash directly to citizens. Her reporting brings policy debates to life with accessible storytelling.
View Insightsby Atul Gawande
AI Rating: 90
AI Review: Gawande illustrates how simple checklists, tested through rigorous trial and error, transform outcomes in surgery, aviation, and other fields. The book offers a compelling case for disciplined experimentation in high-stakes settings.
View Insightsby Tom Nichols
AI Rating: 81
AI Review: Nichols explores the challenges of expert authority in the information age. While analytical rather than experimental, it reinforces the importance of reliable evidence and expert judgment today.
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