About the Study
In 2022, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) funded contractor Urban Institute to conduct the project Advancing Behavioral Interventions in Labor Programs. Advancing Behavioral Interventions in Labor Programs aims to advance the application of behavioral sciences - or understanding how people realistically make and act on decisions - to improve the design of public policies and programs in ways that reflect a deeper understanding of human nature. This Department of Labor-funded project works with Department of Labor offices and agencies to use behavioral insights to test strategies aimed at improving the effectiveness of Departmental programs and strategies.
This initiative contributes to the labor evidence-base to inform Behavioral Interventions at DOL. Projects are selected that addresses Departmental strategic goals and priorities.
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy. CEO’s research development process includes extensive technical review at the design, data collection and analysis stage, including: external contractor review and OMB review and approval of data collection methods and instruments per the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) review to ensure studies adhere to the highest ethical standards, review by academic peers (e.g., Technical Working Groups), and inputs from relevant DOL agency and program officials and CEO technical staff. Final reports undergo an additional independent expert technical review and a review for Section 508 compliance prior to publication. The resulting reports represent findings from this independent research and do not represent DOL positions or policies.