14SOPHIA MAGAZINE Vol. 17Economists strictly select their samples to get the correct results.in language proficiency between the two groups.”Economists, Higuchi says with a smile, are very particular in choosing a sample to obtain an accurate result. In this case, RDD could be used for the analysis because there was a ‘borderline’ in terms of selection criteria for scholarship recipients. Normally, there is no follow up on data for those who fail the selection pro-cess. In this sense, the inquiry was meaningful.“Another particular point in this study is that we teamed up with applied linguists. Using a test they developed, we could gather the necessary data to compare English proficiency levels in a short time-frame without placing undue burden on the subjects,” Higuchi explains.This research has re-confirmed that the scholarship program con-tributed to the decision of pursuing study abroad and extending the period of study abroad. On average, study abroad was shown to contribute to improved language ability. The researchers also found that the program’s encouragements of extending the study abroad period helped to further improve students’ English proficiency.“The results were as expected, but by specifying the effects of MEXT’s scholarship, we were able to provide an empirical justi-fication for MEXT to continue the program.”As a sociology department student, Higuchi backpacked around different Asian and Middle Eastern countries on long holidays.“Thinking back, I fell in love with the energy in devel-oping countries and had a vague idea that I wanted to work in an international organization.”He went to a graduate school to get the training and credential to realize his aim. Changing his focus to economics and, on the advice of mentor, even-tually pursuing doctoral studies in Development Economics, he is now a researcher working in coun-tries ranging from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh in Asia, as well as in nations in Africa.In Tanzania, the effects of a management train-ing were investigated with the RCT methodology, comparing companies that receive the training with those that do not. At the same time, a study of the effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the South African automotive industry was undertaken. Such research revealed that benefits were limited to first-tier suppliers (primarily multinationals) and did not extend to local lower-tier suppliers, and therefore did not lead to local job creation.“This situation is not seen in Asian countries. In Africa, the det-rimental effects of Apartheid still linger in some areas. I hope that the study serves as an opportunity to reconsider policies and methods of donor countries that engage in FDI,” says Higuchi.Higuchi also had the following to say about reading statistical data:“Naturally, manipulating numbers is out of the question, but there are several tricks and pitfalls inherent in statistics. I want to be able to develop an analytical eye for correctly discerning the truth from numbers. I want readers of statistics to first apply knowl-edge of the truth in numbers to their own actions, and then to the policy making of their organizations and to society as a whole.”Higuchi says that development economists dealing with devel-oping nations are like pediatricians in that, with the young, “any-thing is possible.” He humbly points out that the complex eco-nomic problems Japan and other developed countries grapple with are within the domain of specialists due to the countries’ ever-increasing sophistication. Such problems, therefore, cannot be casually dabbled with. However, the truth shown by the most basic numbers available to a pediatrician, for example, may pro-vide a necessary clue to solving problems in developing countries.
元のページ ../index.html#14