About the Study

In 2017, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) funded contractors Mathematica Policy Research, American Institutes for Research, ideas42, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Urban Institute to explore how insights from behavioral science can be used to improve the performance and outcomes of Department of Labor programs.

These studies offer new tools to improve outcomes by combining what we know from psychology and economics, which suggest that a deeper understanding of decision-making and behavior could improve program design and operation. For example, small changes in the environment, program operations, or default rules can reduce barriers to engagement or facilitate desired behaviors. This project will apply behavioral insights to DOL programs and rigorously test whether the changes improve performance or outcomes. It will include evaluations of 3-5 behavioral trials.

This Department of Labor-funded study was a result of the annual process to determine the Department’s research priorities for the upcoming year. It contributes to the labor evidence-base to inform behavioral interventions programs and policies and addresses Departmental strategic goals and priorities.

Project Duration: 60 Months

Contract End Date: September 2022

Contractor: Mathematica Policy Research, with the American Institutes for Research, ideas42, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Urban Institute

For More Information: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.