normative

Qualitative factors break ties near the threshold

When a program's quantified cost-effectiveness number lands near the threshold (e.g., 7 or 13 versus 10), GiveWell relies on qualitative considerations: unmodeled upside (supporting a young person/organization that could grow), confidence the organization will be transparent about what's working and failing, and the track record of the people and organization—pushing borderline decisions up or down.

normativepending

Speaker

Elie Hassenfeld

Evidence Quote

what do we do then and how do we move forward? I'd say there's a few different types of considerations that play into that analysis. Number one is: to what extent is there upside or opportunity that we're not taking seriously here?

Source

Elie Hassenfeld on GiveWellEconTalk
Created: 6/13/2026, 12:29:30 AM

My Notes

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