Mathematica Policy Research

Mathematica Policy Research is a prominent American research organization specializing in data-driven policy analysis and program evaluation. Founded in the late 1960s, it has grown into a major player in assessing the effectiveness of social programs for government agencies, foundations, and international institutions. Its work spans critical areas including health care, education, employment, and family support, employing rigorous methodologies to inform evidence-based decision-making. The organization is widely recognized for its contributions to public policy and its commitment to improving public well-being through objective analysis.

History

The organization was established in 1968 by the renowned mathematician and economist Oskar Morgenstern, a co-founder of game theory, alongside several colleagues from Princeton University. Initially focused on applying advanced mathematics and statistics to complex policy questions, its early contracts included work for the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it expanded its portfolio significantly, conducting major evaluations for the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration. A pivotal moment came with its landmark evaluation of the National Supported Work Demonstration, which studied transitional employment programs. This period solidified its reputation for rigorous, large-scale social experiments. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw continued growth, with the establishment of offices across the United States and an increasing role in international development projects for clients like the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Research areas and projects

Its research portfolio is organized around several key policy domains. In health policy, major projects include evaluations of Medicare and Medicaid innovations, studies on the Affordable Care Act, and analyses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Education research encompasses evaluations of federal programs like Head Start and Title I, as well as studies on teacher effectiveness and school reform for state education agencies and the U.S. Department of Education. In the area of employment and workforce development, it assesses programs funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and studies disability employment initiatives for the Social Security Administration. Additional focal points include family support and child welfare, nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and international development, where it works with agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development on projects in areas like global health and agriculture.

Methodology and approach

The organization is distinguished by its commitment to methodological rigor and transparency. It is a leader in designing and implementing randomized controlled trials, considered the gold standard for determining program impact, often in partnership with federal and state governments. It also employs sophisticated quasi-experimental designs, advanced statistical modeling, and complex survey data analysis. A strong emphasis is placed on mixed-methods research, integrating quantitative data with qualitative insights from interviews, focus groups, and site visits conducted by field researchers. Its teams frequently develop and manage large-scale administrative data systems, creating longitudinal datasets to track outcomes over time. All research protocols and findings are subject to stringent peer review, both internally and by external experts and journal editors.

Impact and recognition

Its analyses have directly influenced significant policy decisions and program designs at the highest levels of government. Research on welfare-to-work programs informed the 1996 reforms to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Its evaluations of early childhood education models have shaped state and federal investments in preschool programs. The organization's work is frequently cited in congressional testimony, reports by the Congressional Budget Office, and rulemaking by federal agencies. It has received numerous awards for its research excellence and analytical innovation from professional associations. Furthermore, its staff regularly publish in top academic journals and present findings at major conferences, contributing to the broader scholarly discourse in fields like economics, public health, and sociology.

Organizational structure

Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, it maintains a decentralized structure with several major offices across the United States, including in Washington, D.C., Cambridge, Massachusetts, Chicago, Illinois, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Oakland, California. This multi-office model allows it to maintain close working relationships with key clients like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and various state governments. The organization is an employee-owned corporation, a structure intended to preserve its independence and commitment to nonpartisan research. It is led by a chief executive officer and senior fellows who are recognized experts in their respective policy fields. Research staff typically hold advanced degrees in disciplines such as economics, public policy, statistics, and sociology, and are organized into interdisciplinary teams tailored to specific project needs.

Category:Research institutes in the United States Category:Public policy organizations based in New Jersey Category:Organizations established in 1968