The use of control groups in impact assessments for microfinance

Contents: Foreword 1. Why use control groups in impact assessments of microfinance projects? 2. Biases of the control-group method and how to avoid them 2.1 Sample selection bias 2.2 Misspecification of underlying causal relationships 2.3 Motivational problems 3. Conclusions and recommendations General recommendations Recommendations for evaluators and donors Recommendations for programme managers Bibliography.