TOPIC 4.8: Evidence Based Policy making

There is an assumption that research and evidence should provide a substantive basis for policy decisions. While research is a relatively straightforward input, evidence is a more eclectic notion. It might include expert knowledge, published research, existing statistics, stakeholder consultations, previous policy evaluations, information gathered from the internet, and outputs from economic and statistical modelling. Two types of evidence are relevant to policy-making:

1. Academic/research evidence: ‘Causal’ or theoretical knowledge of ‘what works’ in policy and service delivery, produced by academics, scientists, policy researchers etc.
2. Professional and institutional experience: Practical and technical knowledge regarding ‘what works’. The focus here is on tapping into learning and experiential knowledge within organisations and communities.

Evidence-based policy is strongly associated with the concept of evidence-based practice in the human services and in medicine. Evidence-based policy advocates believe that policy processes can be improved by forging stronger links between researchers and public policy decision-makers. There is a range of practical impediments to doing this, not the least of which is finding time to exchange information and ideas. Within certain types of policy communities, there are often quite close relationships between experts and policy-makers. These may be enhanced by secondments or exchanges of staff between research and government organisations. Structured opportunities such as conferences, seminars and workshops can also facilitate dialogue and exchange.

Some commentators are uncomfortable with the concept of evidence-based policy-making, as it fails to account for the political nature of policy processes. They prefer the term ‘research-informed’ or ‘evidence-informed’ policy, recognising that many factors, including research and evidence, will influence policy choices.

Hand in hand with participatory, inclusive and evidence-based practices in policy making goes accountability. As stakeholders engage within and across complex systems, the question arises: who is accountable and for what?