Propensity score matching

The following text is drawn from the World Bank's website.

Propensity score matching

Propensity score matching is a tool for identifying a suitable comparison group to compare to the recipients of the project (the treatment group). Essentially, propensity score matching finds a comparison group comprising individuals who did not in fact receive the project, but who, given their observable characteristics, had the same probability of receiving the project as individuals in the treatment group. The project’s impact is then the difference in outcomes between the treatment and comparison group.


Source: The World Bank http://go.worldbank.org/J35S3J8B60