Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy - Softcover

National Research Council; Division Of Behavioral And Social Sciences And Education; Committee On The Use Of Social Science Knowledge In Public Policy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309261619 ISBN 13: 9780309261616

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2012

Synopsis

Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy encourages scientists to think differently about the use of scientific evidence in policy making. This report investigates why scientific evidence is important to policy making and argues that an extensive body of research on knowledge utilization has not led to any widely accepted explanation of what it means to use science in public policy. Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy identifies the gaps in our understanding and develops a framework for a new field of research to fill those gaps.

For social scientists in a number of specialized fields, whether established scholars or Ph.D. students, Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy shows how to bring their expertise to bear on the study of using science to inform public policy. More generally, this report will be of special interest to scientists who want to see their research used in policy making, offering guidance on what is required beyond producing quality research, beyond translating results into more understandable terms, and beyond brokering the results through intermediaries, such as think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups. For administrators and faculty in public policy programs and schools, Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy identifies critical elements of instruction that will better equip graduates to promote the use of science in policy making.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Summary
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Why This Report Now
• 3 The Use of Research Knowledge: Current Scholarship
• 4 Research on the Use of Science in Policy: A Framework
• 5 The Next Generation of Researchers and Practitioners
• References
• Appendix A: Selected Major Social Science Research Methods: Overview
• Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309261619
• ISBN 13: 9780309261616
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 122
• Editor: Straf Miron L., Schwandt Thomas A., Prewitt Kenneth