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The Science of Using Research

May 24, 2016 | Blog

..why it starts with the policy maker

Governments all over the world invest large sums of public money into producing knowledge that helps them understand their countries’ complex socioeconomic issues. This knowledge, in the form of research, can be used to formulate potential solutions through public policies and programmes.

But it’s not enough just to produce research. It must also be considered and drawn from when policies are being created. However, a range of barriers might prevent policymakers from accessing and using evidence in their work. To understand the use of evidence, then, it’s important to understand the policymaker. Who is she? What are her incentives and biases? What is her professional and institutional context?

Blog article by Lawrence Langer and Ruth Stewart

In case you missed last week's webinar: 'Lessons from commissioning, implementing and evaluating a multi-site, complex system change programme using a developmental evaluation approach', a recording is now available on the CECAN website: www.cecan.ac.uk/videos/

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— CECAN (@cecan.bsky.social) Oct 13, 2025 at 9:08

Our latest CECAN newsletter is out now! Find out more about what we've been up to and details of our upcoming events at: mailchi.mp/eefacd2f5a9e... #Evaluation #Complexity #Policy

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