Using Evidence in Policy Making

What is evidence-based policymaking?

Evidence-based policymaking refers to the use of research to guide policy and funding decisions. Such policymaking can take many forms, but it often involves using research findings regarding the
effectiveness of previously implemented policies or programs to inform management, policy, and budget decisions. Referencing research that uses rigorous methods increases confidence in the findings and applicability to real-world decisions.

What is evidence?

For definitions of evidence, click here.

Where can I find quality evidence of impact? 

While there are many forms of quality research, MMB seeks to identify studies that can show the intervention actually caused the impact on participants. This is typically achieved through treatment and control style research. Two places to start searching for those types of studies are:

• Minnesota's Results First Initiative, which presents evidence of the effectiveness of services already in use in Minnesota;
• The national Results First Clearinghouse Database, which is a tool for finding evaluations from eight national clearinghouses of research.
• Other sources of quality evidence are available here.