I only skimmed this, but I think the majority of EAs don’t actually look into the how and why of GiveWell’s recommendations. And even less go into the processes and publications that lead to the numbers that GiveWell eventually uses. An indirect result is that GiveWell doesn’t get as much feedback as it could likely benefit from, and too many EAs can’t speak to M&E professionals in international development at a meaningful level.
What’s explained here, and alluded to here, as well as the criticisms, is important basic info for many EAs who are unfamiliar with it. The various methodologies for costing and discounting (both included here and others), in particular, are definitely worth investigating further for those who haven’t.
I only skimmed this, but I think the majority of EAs don’t actually look into the how and why of GiveWell’s recommendations. And even less go into the processes and publications that lead to the numbers that GiveWell eventually uses. An indirect result is that GiveWell doesn’t get as much feedback as it could likely benefit from, and too many EAs can’t speak to M&E professionals in international development at a meaningful level.
What’s explained here, and alluded to here, as well as the criticisms, is important basic info for many EAs who are unfamiliar with it. The various methodologies for costing and discounting (both included here and others), in particular, are definitely worth investigating further for those who haven’t.