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The Politics of Evidence: From Evidence-Based Policy to the Good Governance of Evidence
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Book on the politics and good governance of evidence. Open (free) access as e-book
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... In French's (2019) typology, the literature characterizing the "Reinvent" and "Reject" schools gives a fairly widespread impression that EBP is not succeeding because it aims at an ideal that can never be met. 3 For instance, Cairney (2019) cites several theorists making this complaint, including Parkhurst (2017), who we will return to several times throughout this article. Perhaps because of this perceived obstacle to EBP, practitioner-oriented texts like Turnhout et al. (2019) tend to place their emphasis not on how scientists may help policymakers to achieve EBP, but instead on how scientists might more productively engage with policymakers committed to EBP, to ensure responsible uptake of their research. ...
... Evidence does not speak for itself but requires interpretation, and value judgments 5 pervade the process both in determining what the evidence is and what policy it calls for. It is common to say that evidence is not neutral and objective like data or information; instead, evidence is information that is selected for a particular purpose, for example, to persuade someone of a claim (Botterill, 2017;Lindblom and Cohen, 1979;Majone, 1989;Parkhurst, 2017). ...
... Of course, policy decisions will not be totally isolated from value judgments and the like. Which data is gathered, and which effects are considered important, for instance, will require judgment calls (Botterill, 2017;Parkhurst, 2017). This is arguably desirable because, again, policymaking ought to reflect the values of the people in some way (Botterill, 2017). ...
Evidence-based policy (EBP) has become widely embraced for its commitment to greater uptake of scientific knowledge in policymaking. But what legitimizes EBP and in what respect are evidence-based policymaking practices better than other policymaking practices? In this article, we distinguish and refine three potential legitimizers of EBP. We suggest that evidence-based policymaking practices are better because they “follow the science,” because they focus on “what works,” or because they “follow the rules.” We discuss some consequences, for advocates of EBP, of consciously adopting one or other of these legitimizers. Finally, we examine whether it is appropriate to switch from advocating for EBP to advocating for evidence-informed policy.
... Our study addresses both a theoretical and empirical gap in the literature on EIPM, which is primarily characterized by conceptual, descriptive and normative studies (Parkhurst 2017;Cairney 2016;Head 2016). Additionally, the limited number of existing empirical studies reveals a significant divergence across outcome variables (Amara et al. 2004), sets of explanatory variables (Landry et al. 2003), levels of analysis (Newman et al. 2017) and policy contexts (Nelsonet al. 2023). ...
... There is both enthusiasm and skepticism among policy scholars and policy professionals about the move to rationalize policy making through evidence use (Boswell 2018;Capano and Malandrino 2022;Parkhurst 2017). Advocates of evidence based policy making (EBPM) highlight the numerous benefits associated with it. ...
... Politicization, the growing political influence on public administrations, requiring public officials to be more sensitive to political considerations, can undermine evidence use (Peters and Pierre 2004). In highly politicized environments, evidence may be selectively used, misinterpreted, or manipulated to align with political interests (Cairney 2016;Parkhurst 2017). As politicization increases, public officials are likely to place less emphasis on evidence and more on political priorities and agendas. ...
Understanding the use of evidence by public organizations and public officials is a key issue for public administration scholars and practitioners. In this study, we examine how individual- and organizational-level factors relate to evidence informed policy making. Using the Norm of Evidence and Research in Decision-making (NERD), we conduct an online survey to analyze evidence informed policy making perceptions of public officials (n = 438) holding policy responsibilities within the Flemish (Belgian) government. The results highlight the importance of a rational, results- and production-oriented organizational culture, adequate access to information, sufficient time, and appropriate personnel. At the individual level, person-organization fit and public sector experience are associated with evidence use. Enhancing our knowledge of these organizational and individual factors is crucial for advancing the theory and practice of evidence informed policy making in public organizations.
... De modo mais geral, como um cidadão poderia contribuir para melhorar a governança das políticas macroeconômicas? Afinal, uma boa governança busca atingir um equilíbrio entre o rigor técnico-científico e a legitimidade das decisões de políticas públicas inter alia junto aos públicos afetados por tais decisões (Parkhurst, 2017). ...
... Partindo desse pressuposto, este texto buscou estabelecer algumas bases conceituais, históricas e metodológicas para atingir uma compreensão mais profunda sobre os critérios normativos que devem guiar o bom uso de evidências em políticas macroeconômicas. Por "bom uso de evidências", entendemos a adequação aos critérios que a literatura especializada tem batizado de "boa governança de evidências em políticas públicas" (Parkhurst, 2017). Tais critérios podem ser resumidamente descritos como uma combinação entre uma metodologia sólida (validade, coerência, sistematicidade etc.) e uma responsividade aos públicos e aos atores da política pública (acadêmicos, policymakers, gestores, profissionais de informação, cidadãos, públicos-alvo das políticas etc.). ...
O objetivo deste texto para discussão é fornecer subsídios conceituais, metodológicos e históricos acerca do uso de evidências na ciência econômica e, em particular, na macroeconomia. Procura-se abrir caminho para uma compreensão mais profunda sobre os critérios normativos a fim de guiar o bom uso de evidências em políticas macroeconômicas. O texto visa responder às seguintes perguntas: i) a quais redes ou tipos de enunciados (hipóteses, modelos, teorias etc.) se aplica o critério da adequação empírica em ciência econômica?; ii) como a formalização da linguagem e a mensuração das grandezas econômicas condicionam o papel das evidências no progresso científico em economia?; iii) como os critérios de avaliação da adequação empírica variam de acordo com as escolas de pensamento nessa ciência?; iv) quais fatores contextuais (históricos, ideológicos, políticos etc.) poderiam condicionar as escolhas dos economistas com respeito àqueles conjuntos de enunciados?; v) como se elucida o conceito de causalidade em economia e como uma orientação metodologicamente pluralista em relação à causalidade pode servir às decisões de política macroeconômica?; e vi) quais lições a metodologia e a história do pensamento econômico podem dar à governança do uso de evidências para as políticas macroeconômicas? Mais do que apontar para uma solução única ao problema da governança de evidências em teoria e política macroeconômica, este texto convida-nos a uma atitude pluralista – porém moderada – acerca: i) do conceito de evidências em economia; ii) da unidade empiricamente avaliável na teoria e na política econômicas; e iii) do conceito de causalidade envolvido nas análises teóricas e práticas em macroeconomia.
... The concept of evidence varies widely based on context, encompassing everything from individual experiences and implicit understanding to detailed findings produced through formal research and experimentation (Weiss, 1991;Nutley et al, 2007;Parkhurst, 2017). Scientific evidence, in particular, refers to information produced through systematic, peer-reviewed research methodologies and is valued for its rigour and reliability. ...
To what extent are personality traits associated with knowledge use by office holders? This article argues that individual differences matter when studying knowledge mobilisation by political elites. In this respect, the HEXACO model of personality is employed to investigate how personality traits are associated with knowledge use. More specifically, following the evaluation literature, two specific types of knowledge use are differentiated: Decision-Making Knowledge Use and Decision Justification Knowledge Use. To achieve this, original data collected among local elected officials from the 26 Swiss cantons is analysed. The findings indicate that individual differences in terms of personality traits are associated with the incorporation of scientific knowledge into decision-making processes. More specifically, openness to experience is identified as a stronger predictor of knowledge use compared to conscientiousness, highlighting its unique role in fostering evidence-based decision-making. Socio-demographic differences are also found to be associated with variability in knowledge use among politicians. By identifying common characteristics among those most likely to rely on scientific knowledge, this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of how to foster informed decision-making within political contexts.
... Like any other discipline, political science certainly has problems communicating the results of its research to the wider public (Weiss 1979;Cairney 2016;Parkhurst 2017;Capano and Malandrino 2022). Therefore, we can be reassured by this fact and assume that the external world has difficulties understanding the relevance of our research due to various barriers. ...
There is no doubt that political science has always been characterised by a normative afflatus. Verba was deeply concerned with understanding how democracy works in practice and how it can survive over the course of time. Lasswell constantly argued that political science should focus on problem-solving in order to improve the quality of citizens’ lives. David Easton clearly indicated that political science ought to focus on major problems that must be immediately addressed. For Sartori, political science should be conducted for society’s sake and should produce useful and applicable knowledge; for Ostrom and Putnam, it should help citizens; and for Katznelson, it should focus on how to pursue “a more decent politics and society under dangerous and difficult conditions”. For many reasons internal and external to the discipline, these normative roots and goals have been forgotten in recent decades. It is time to restore the normative afflatus of political science by pushing it to become more normative-based, more solution-seeking, more engaged and more critical.
The concept of utilising digital twins in the public sector gained increased attention about five years ago. This chapter collates the first-hand experiences of early adopters and innovators—from use cases and technology adoption to stakeholder engagement and governance—to provide practical recommendations for implementation, tips for overcoming barriers, as well as areas of consideration for new users. Key recommendations are related to implementing Local Digital Twins (LDT) in practice, especially for evidence-informed policy-making, public involvement and impact maximisation.
In today's complex and fast-paced world, effective policymaking in the fields of science, technology, and innovation has become one of the most critical challenges and needs of various countries. Given the vast volume and diversity of available data, leveraging this information for precise and efficient decision-making has gained significant importance. In this context, data mining, as an innovative and powerful tool, offers unparalleled capabilities in analyzing, predicting, and evaluating policies, thereby assisting policymakers in improving the decision-making process.
The primary objective of this study is to identify and explain the roles and functions of data mining in the science and technology policymaking process. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review, thematic analysis, and constant comparative method have been employed. The research findings indicate that data mining plays five key roles in science and technology policymaking: (1) trend analysis and future prediction, (2) assessment of policy outcomes and effectiveness, (3) prediction and management of potential risks, (4) prioritization and optimization of resource allocation, and (5) decision support through the evaluation of alternative scenarios.
These functions enable policymakers to make better decisions based on real data and precise analysis. By introducing the applications of data mining across all stages of policymaking—from problem identification and diagnosis to policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation—this study provides new insights for improving policymaking processes. Additionally, the findings can contribute to the development of evidence-based policies in the domains of science, technology, and innovation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and underlying structural factors of poverty and wealth in several African countries. METHODS: A retrospective ecological comparison and trend analysis was conducted by reviewing data from demographic and health surveys, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) indicator surveys and national sero-behavioural surveys in 12 sub-Saharan African countries with different estimated national incomes. Published survey reports were included in the analysis if they contained HIV testing data and wealth quintile rankings. Trends in the relation between gender-specific HIV prevalence and household wealth quintile were determined with the X² test and compared across the 12 countries, and also within one country (the United Republic of Tanzania) at two points in time. FINDINGS: The relationship between the prevalence of HIV infection and household wealth quintile did not show consistent trends in all countries. In particular, rates of HIV infection in higher-income countries did not increase with wealth. Tanzanian data further illustrate that the relationship between wealth and HIV infection can change over time in a given setting, with declining prevalence in wealthy groups occurring simultaneously with increasing prevalence in poorer women. CONCLUSION: Both wealth and poverty can lead to potentially risky or protective behaviours. To develop better-targeted HIV prevention interventions, the HIV community must recognize the multiple ways in which underlying structural factors can manifest themselves as risk in different settings and at different times. Context-specific risks should be the targets of HIV prevention initiatives tailored to local factors.
Science journalism has never been more important, but citizens must sometimes struggle to find independent, evidence-based information. At the same time, conditions for specialist science journalists are becoming more difficult. This chapter discusses these conundrums and what they portend for the future of science journalism. It first tracks the evolution of the field, noting the long history of popular science and the presence of science stories in the mass media for as long as these channels have existed. The chapter then moves to reflections on characteristics of 21st-century science news content and opportunities and challenges confronting science journalists in this age of digital media and gig economy. © 2021 selection and editorial matter, Massimiano Bucchi and Brian Trench; individual chapters, the contributors.
Africa has undergone significant political, economic, and social change since the first edition of this book was published in early 1988. Now revised and updated throughout, this new edition includes current economic, social, and political data, as well as entirely new sections on the dismantling of apartheid, civil society, democratization and multiparty politics, economic reform and structural adjustment, and the prospects for African development in the twenty-first century. Review comments on the first edition: 'Required reading for any course on politics and society of the African continent' West Africa 'The best available textbook on the subject...this volume stands unchallenged in its comprehensiveness and sophistication.' Choice