Using and generating evidence: policy makers' reflections on commissioning and learning from the Scottish Health Demonstration Projects

Mackenzie, M. , Blamey, A.A. and Hanlon, P.W. (2006) Using and generating evidence: policy makers' reflections on commissioning and learning from the Scottish Health Demonstration Projects. Evidence and Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 2(2), pp. 211-226. (doi: 10.1332/174426406777068885)

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Abstract

This article discusses the gap between rhetoric and reality in evidence-based policy making using data derived from external evaluations of two of Scotland's national Health Demonstration Projects. More specifically, it reports on the extent to which policy makers used evidence to commission the projects, and on the type of evidence that they expected to flow from them to feed into future government strategy. Using primary data, this article confirms that policy decisions are made on the basis of factors that go beyond research evidence and suggests that both policy makers and evaluators would gain from more explicit acknowledgement of what lies beneath the veneer of evidence-based policy making.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hanlon, Professor Phil and Mackenzie, Professor Mhairi
Authors: Mackenzie, M., Blamey, A.A., and Hanlon, P.W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
Journal Name:Evidence and Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice
Publisher:The Policy Press
ISSN:1744-2648
ISSN (Online):1744-2656

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