DeclareDesign is statistical software that makes it easier for researchers to characterize and learn about the properties of research designs before implementation. Ex ante declaration and diagnosis of designs can help researchers clarify the strengths and limitations of their designs and to improve their properties. It can make it easier for readers to evaluate a research strategy prior to implementation and without access to results. It can also make it easier for designs to be shared, replicated, and critiqued.

The motivation for the software is described in a working paper by the authors.

DeclareDesign consists of a core package, which is documented on this web site, as well as three companion packages that stand on their own but are also called on by the core package. They are:

1. randomizr: Easy to use tools for common forms of random assignment and sampling.
2. fabricatr: Imagine your data before you collect it.
3. estimatr: Fast estimators for social scientists.

A library of declared designs is under construction. The library includes canonical designs that users can download, modify, and deploy. To get underway with your own designs, follow the install instructions below and check out our guide on getting started with DeclareDesign, which covers the main functionality of the software.

## Installing DeclareDesign

To install the latest development release of all of the packages, please ensure that you are running version 3.3 or later of R and run the following code:

install.packages("DeclareDesign", dependencies = TRUE,
repos = c("http://R.declaredesign.org", "https://cloud.r-project.org"))

This project is generously supported by a grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and seed funding from EGAP.