Evidence and the Policymaking Process

1. Evidence and the Policymaking Process CFHSS Congress 2006 York University Louise Shaxson louise@shaxson.com

2. The Series • Effective Research for Development Policy: How researchers can maximize their influence on policy. • Evidence and the Policy Making Process: How do policy makers access research, what constitutes evidence. • Action Research for Maximum Impact: Some "good news" case studies, and practical research tools for practitioners.

3. This Workshop • Exercise: Food in primary schools • Drivers of change • Policy development trajectory • Evidence and analysis • What policymakers want • The role of analysts • EBPM in practice • Further information

4. Exercise: Food in Primary Schools

5. Drivers of change • Increasing emphasis on the quality of evidence and its use (Modernising Government); • To underpin & inform strategy, policy, regulatory work, foresight; and to mitigate risk; • Importance of challenge to evidence (BSE inquiry, Science Advisory Committees) • Depth and breadth of future evidence needs will increase given complex and overlapping strategic priorities

6. Policy development trajectory • Smaller policy core (efficiency drive in the public sector) • Getting rid of the ‘generalist/specialist’ label • Improving intelligent customer capability • Future evidence needs, when set against strategic priorities, are complex & overlapping. How do we deal with ‘sustainability’?

7. Evidence for policy is… …any robust information that helps to turn a Department’s strategic priorities into something concrete, manageable and achievable. The nature of the evidence you need is proportional to the nature of the risk associated with the decision that is being made.

8. What is evidence and analysis? Evidence is: Facts (data, known trends), judgements, opinions, analyses, syntheses, arguments, costings, reviews, qualitative & quantitative survey data Analysis is: Lines of argument (strategy-policy), research, interpretation

9. Decision makers like numbers… …but the evidence base is built upon • Data • Lines of argument (analysis) • Stakeholder opinions

10. Evidence-based policy making is not a sacred cow: There are policies that: Use good information… …and use it well… Use poor information… …and use it poorly…

11. Analysis & evidence for policy Longer-term policy and strategy development Procuring, managing and carrying out research to provide new evidence Interpreting & applying new or existing evidence, monitoring & evaluating the policy once implemented Scoping the issue, asking the question, deciding what sort of evidence is needed Evidence and analysis needed rapidly to answer pressing policy questions

12. Components of robust evidence & analysis (supply side) • Is the evidence credible? • Can we make generalisations from it? • Is it reliable enough for M&E or impact assessments? • Is it objective? How do we account for bias? • Is it rooted in an understanding of the framing assumptions?

13. Components of robust evidence & analysis (demand side) • Is the evidence policy relevant? • Is it timely? Has it been delivered fast enough to inform policy decisions? • Is it accessible to all key stakeholders, not just researchers? • Is the evidence cost-effective? • Is it interdisciplinary enough to address cross-cutting issues?

14. The role of analysts… …is to provide appropriate evidence & analysis throughout the policy making process Quality assessment, peer review, advisory councils, G2000 Negotiate how to apply the evidence; consultancy role Procuring, managing and carrying out new research Interpreting & applying new or existing evidence, monitoring & evaluating the policy once implemented Scoping the issue, asking the question, deciding what sort of evidence is needed Negotiate the question, advise on alternative sources of evidence

15. The role of analysts • A smaller policy core won’t have time to do the integration • Intelligent customers need intelligent suppliers • Multiple tools: social, economic, modelling, scientific, technical, institutional analysis… • Help policy makers lift their eyes from their desks to see what is possible • but • Help them maintain their focus on the deliverable.

16. EBPM in practice • Defra’s Evidence & Innovation Strategy: • Matching supply-side and demand-side criteria • Based on the question ‘does it make good policy?’ rather than ‘is it good science?’ • Develop a clear line of sight between policy priorities and evidence provision – for efficient delivery • Analyse in relation to the policy cycle – evidence needs change from strategy through to delivery • Need a better understanding of innovation

17. How can analysts balance… • the need to answer policy’s immediate questions…(with robust & cost-efficient evidence) • while developing their role…(as people who understand policy processes) • to underpin broader & more strategic approaches to policy (involving other evidence providers, particularly other disciplines)

18. Selected Bibliography • Shaxson, L.J. (2005) “Is your evidence robust enough? Questions for policy makers and practitioners”. Journal of Evidence & Policy 1(1): 101-111. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/ep/2005/00000001/00000001/art00006 • Evidence-based policy making: guidance for policy makers. Available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/science/how/evidence.htm • Jones, K.E. (2005) Understanding risk in everyday policy making. Defra: UK. Available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/risk/policymaking0509.pdf • Defra (2005) Evidence & Innovation Strategy 2005–2008 (Part 1: Aims of the consultation / introduction). Available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/science/how/documents/PDFs%20in%20Parts/Part%20I.pdf

19. RAPID Stuff • ODI Working Papers • Bridging Research and Policy Book • Meeting series Monograph • RAPID Briefing Paper • Tools for Policy Impact • Communication Tools • Policymaker Tools • RAPID CDROM • www.odi.org.uk/rapid