Using Evidence: How Research Can Inform Public Services

New
Illustrated
2007
$59.26

This book provides a timely and novel contribution to understanding and enhancing evidence use. It builds on and complements the popular and best-selling What Works?: Evidence-based policy and practice in public services (Davies, Nutley and Smith, Policy Press, 2000), by drawing together current knowledge about how research gets used and how this can be encouraged and improved. In particular, the authors explore various multidiscipliary frameworks for understanding the research use agenda; consider how research use and the impact of research can be assessed; summarise the empirical evidence from the education, health care, social care and criminal justice fields about how research is used and how this can be improved and draw out practical issues that need to be addressed if research is to have greater impact on public services. Using evidence is important reading for university and government researchers, research funding bodies, public service managers and professionals, and students of public policy and management. It will also prove an invaluable guide for anyone involved in the implementation of evidence-based policy and practice.

Synopsis

This book provides a timely and novel contribution to understanding and enhancing evidence use. It builds on and complements the popular and best-selling What Works?: Evidence-based policy and practice in public services (Davies, Nutley and Smith, Policy Press, 2000), by drawing together current knowledge about how research gets used and how this can be encouraged and improved. In particular, the authors explore various multidiscipliary frameworks for understanding the research use agenda; consider how research use and the impact of research can be assessed; summarise the empirical evidence from the education, health care, social care and criminal justice fields about how research is used and how this can be improved and draw out practical issues that need to be addressed if research is to have greater impact on public services. Using evidence is important reading for university and government researchers, research funding bodies, public service managers and professionals, and students of public policy and management. It will also prove an invaluable guide for anyone involved in the implementation of evidence-based policy and practice.

$59.26

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 376
Edition: 1
Publisher: Policy Press
Published: 14 Mar 2007
ISBN 10: 1861346646
ISBN 13: 9781861346643

Media Reviews

This book is a major contribution to the literature: clear, thoughtful, relevant and evidence-informed. My first bit of advice for the Academy of Management here in the US is for everyone to read your book. Thomas G. Rundall, Henry J. Kaiser Professor of Organized Health Systems, U.C. Berkeley
Using Evidence is important reading for university and government researchers, research funding bodies, public service managers and professionals, and students of public policy and management. It will also prove an invaluable guide for anyone involved in the implementation of evidence-based policy and practice. Social Sciences Newsletter
[the book] ought to command wide endorsement Public
Anyone who has ever written or uttered the words 'evidence-based policy' should read this outstanding book. So should anyone else who has hopes for increasing the rationality of policy or practice through reference to systematic inquiry. The volume unpacks the meanings and assumptions embedded in 'evidence-based policy', illustrates its successes and shortfalls, looks at alternative perspectives on the junction of research and practice, and suggests documented ways to improve the engagement of research with policy and practice. This sophisticated book will challenge some current beliefs and offer better grounded and more realistic aspirations. Carol H. Weiss, Beatrice B. Whiting Professor Emerita, Harvard Graduate School of Education, US
Hugely useful for students. Lee Gregory, University of Birmingham.

Author Bio

Sandra Nutley is Professor of Public Policy and Management and Director of the Research Unit for Research Utilisation (RURU), University of Edinburgh. Isabel Walter is Research Fellow in the Social Dimensions of Health institute, Universities of St Andrews and Dundee. Huw Davies is Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of St Andrews, and Director of the Social Dimensions of Health institute, Universities of St Andrews and Dundee.