What counts as ‘evidence’? The complexities of providing evidence to inform public policy

Sally Shortall

Evidence-based policy implicitly assumes a linear relationship between research evidence and policy formation. The reality is much more complex. There are power struggles between different groups presenting different interpretations of the world, political ideology is a key driver of policy making, resources are finite, and policies must be palatable with the electorate. This paper will explore the complexities of evidence based policy.

Date of seminar: 22 March 2012.