Several factors were behind the recent violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal. This blog investigates whether inequality, after accounting for other factors, was a likely contributor to the unrest. Overall, we find a positive relationship between inequality and the prevalence of unrest at the municipal level.
Did inequality contribute to the recent political unrest in KZN? Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented one of the most formidable challenges in recent history to governments, businesses, and society. It has also highlighted the importance of digital technologies in public health systems. This blog looks at South Africa’s use of digital technologies in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The escalation of the recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global reimagining of how workplaces can and do function. An area markedly impacted by this change is in monitoring and evaluating interventions. This blog considers the lessons that can be learnt from a previous global health crisis, namely the Ebola Virus outbreak, in helping to improve monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practice during the current, and future, pandemics
The implications of COVID-19 on M&E practices Read More »
In South Africa, a number of institutions offer Consumer Financial Education programmes. These programmes are aimed at equipping South Africans with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. DNA Economics has evaluated a number of these programmes and this blog unpacks some of the lessons from the evaluations.
Lessons from consumer financial education evaluations Read More »
In light of Covid-19, this blog attempts to unpack the potential policy position of the SARB as we build up to the MPC meeting on the 19th of March. Given its detrimental impact on global growth, coupled with South Africa’s growth decline over the last 2 quarters, I believe that the likelihood of the MPC decreasing the repo rate by 25 basis points is high. However, evidence also points to a potentially unchanged repo rate, if it believes that a repo-rate decrease could bring about unintended consequences relating to capital flight and/or exchange rate depreciation
Monetary policy and COVID-19: what to expect from the SARB Read More »
Religious beliefs and institutions influence how people view the world and have a bearing on acceptable social norms. These provide a framework for adherents to process and deal with life events. Further, religion is also a social institution. This blog explores how religion may influence subjective well-being.
Religiosity and subjective well-being Read More »
Subjective well-being is a measure of individual welfare that combines measures of life satisfaction and happiness. Subjective measures of well-being can account for non-quantifiable determinants of well-being. Therefore, in some instances, subjective well-being data may provide a superior alternative to traditional measures of well-being. Considering subjective well-being data when evaluating social policies will paint a more complete picture of policy success.
What is subjective well-being and why is it important? Read More »
Globally, calls for more economic pluralism in higher education institutions are sounding loud and clear. However, it is not always evident what ‘economic pluralism’ actually means and many people oppose it on the basis of various misconceptions and false assumptions. This blog attempts to clarify this and, perhaps more importantly, outline what economic pluralism is not.
Economic pluralism: what does it really mean and what is it not? Read More »
Working hours and their effect on productivity and wellness is by no means a new topic of discussion and debate. Prior to 1900, the average American factory employee was required to work 53 hours a week. This was only reduced to the now standard 40-hour work week after much protest by labour unions, and strangely enough has never been seriously contested since. Until now, that is. This article explore the potential benefits, and some of the challenges, of a shorter work week.
The four-day work week – can it become a reality? Read More »
Many evaluations rely almost exclusively on perception based data collected through interviews with, or surveys of, implementers (programme providers) and/ or beneficiaries (programme users). While interview data is relatively easy to collect and often provides valuable insights, such data suffers from a number of shortcomings, biases and limitations. We highlight a number of these issues in the context of educational research and suggest potential ways of reducing the risk that such issues result in incorrect research findings and recommendations.
Too good to be true? The importance of collecting better data Read More »