Strategic signalling and NGO engagement: Lessons from water quality interventions in Ghana
This brief describes a randomised controlled trial to examine how implementer desirability bias affects evaluations of NGO-led interventions. The brief provides recommendations for policymakers on addressing the pressure communities may feel to perform in ways they believe are expected.
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Korb-Policy-Brief-March-2025.pdf
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- Implementer desirability bias—a form of demand effect in which participants adjust their responses based on who they believe is delivering a programme—can distort evaluations and may be especially relevant for NGO-led interventions.
- This brief draws on findings from a randomised controlled trial in 30 mining-affected villages in Ghana. It tests whether highlighting an NGO rather than a government agency as the implementer of a water quality intervention affects how people revise their beliefs and express support.
- People strategically signalled support for the NGO through (i) reduced belief updating about pollution and (ii) non-costly expressions of trust and enthusiasm.
- However, expressive support for the NGO did not extend to more costly actions like volunteering or donating money.