Key Principles in
Assessing Evidence
Some key issues that you need to think through before deciding whether
to use a piece of evidence are set out below. Policy-makers will
need to consider drawing on specialist expertise and knowledge to
help assess evidence (e.g. advice from researchers, statisticians
and economists).
Is it relevant?
- Does the study address the key policy issues and questions?
- Is it appropriate to use evidence collected in a different context?
i.e. How far can results of local studies inform a national policy?
Is the social, cultural and economic context for an overseas study
similar to that in the UK?
- Was the study undertaken recently - have things changed since
it was done?
- Does the study clearly identify implications for policy and/or
practice?
Is
it good quality?
- Are the research methods used appropriate to the key questions
being asked?
- Does the study consider the issues from a range of perspectives
e.g. involving service users/ other stakeholders?
- Has the study been conducted properly - is there information
on how the methods were implemented e.g. response rates for surveys?
- Does the individual or organisation which undertook the study
have previous experience of research on the issue and/or the methods
used?
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