Decision Information Resources, Inc.

Longitudinal CATI & Field Surveys for a Microloan RCT – The Small Loan Study Participant Surveys


Highlights
  • Measuring the effects of a micro-lending program on expanding women-owned businesses
  • Longitudinal study comprising two three-year waves and an initial tracking wave
  • Group recruitment strategy with intragroup contact information updates
  • 18- and 36-month follow up surveys
  • Findings presented at American Association of Public Opinion Researchers (AAPOR)

Official Title
The Small Loan Study
Location(s)
New Jersey
Activities
Instrument review
Survey programming
CATI
In-Person
Sample tracking
Data management
Reporting
Dates
8/2013–12/2020
Client
MDRC, funded by the Robin Hood Foundation
Project Description

The objective of the Grameen Small Loan Study is to measure the effect of a single micro-lending program on the success of women creating or expanding small businesses in the New Jersey area. The sample comprises loan applicants who were recruited in groups of five and randomly assigned into treatment (received the loan) and control (did not receive the loan) groups. Although the Small Loan Study is not the first randomized control trial of microcredit/microfinance, no one has conducted an experimental design of microcredit/microfinance in the U.S.  This study also provides the first ever randomized control trial of borrowers participating in a group-lending program.

Using a mixed-mode (CATI/field-initiated) method, DIR is administered follow-up surveys at 18 and 36 months after random assignment, with the option for a third survey at 60 months. In the absence of administrative records, the follow-up surveys will provide the bulk of data to be used in statistical analysis.

Services
Surveys and Data Collection
Areas of Expertise
Labor and Economics

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