Andrew Leigh
Randomistas
How Radical Researchers Changed Our World
Black Inc. 2018
Randomised tests are carried out on us every day: by supermarkets, search engines, online dating sites and direct marketers. Political parties use randomised trials to win elections. But how do these tests work? Are there any ethical issues? And what do they reveal about our choices?
In Randomistas, Andrew Leigh tells the stories of radical researchers who overturned conventional wisdom in medicine, politics, economics, law enforcement and more. From finding the cure to scurvy to discovering what policies really improve literacy rates, randomistas have shaped life as we know it – but they often had to fight to conduct their trials and have their findings implemented.
In the tradition of Malcolm Gladwell, Randomistas is a brilliant and entertaining exploration of a hidden but vital foundation of modern life.
“Full of compelling and sometimes jaw-dropping stories of random trials that threw out surprising results ... Andrew Leigh’s book entertains and informs in equal measure. It will change the way you think.”
“Packed with tantalising tales, Randomistas is essential reading for anyone interested in debunking myths and uncovering hidden truths.”
About the Author
Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fenner. Before being elected in 2010, he was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. His books include Battlers and Billionaires, The Luck of Politics, Randomistas and Reconnected.
