Learning about Program Design With Rugged Fitness Spaces

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
Learning about Program Design With Rugged Fitness Spaces
Abstract
We propose that we live in a world characterized by a hyperdimensional design space with a rugged fitness function. All aspects of our environment interact to change the outcomes and impact of social programs (hyperdimensionality). Small adjustments to program designs can cause big changes to outcomes and impact (rugged fitness function). In this world, we benefit from learning about social programs through testing more points along the design space, even when our sample sizes are compromised. We run a simulation comparing the program impact when learning is done through crawling the design space (CDS) vs. through randomized control trials and find that CDS generates greater impact. We motivate our study through our experiences designing a skill set-signaling program for new entrants to the labor market.
Pages
46
Language
en
Library Catalogue
Zotero
Citation
Nadel, S., & Pritchett, L. (n.d.). Learning about Program Design With Rugged Fitness Spaces. 46.