Public sector practitioners, policy advisers and decision makers are expected to develop policies, programs and projects based on clear evidence that links accurate information and rigorous analysis to proposed actions. While values and opinions are important, the demands for greater public accountability for resources, new and competing sources of research and knowledge both within and outside government, and an increasingly educated society, makes the need for evidence based policy and program development essential and urgent.
This new workshop introduces participants to what ‘evidence’ means, the sources of ‘evidence,’ processes of evidence collection, and the use of evidence in relation to problem solving and policy and program development.
Key issues for discussion in this workshop include:
The importance ‘evidence’ in policy and program development
Defining the meaning, sources and types of ‘evidence’
Understanding and ranking different ‘evidence’
Processes for effective ‘evidence’ collection and analysis
Applying ‘evidence’ to practical problem solving
Identifying obstacles to using ‘evidence’
Maximising evidence in preparing briefs, reviews and proposals
Methodology
Participants will be provided with core information and examples and through a range of relevant case studies, guest speakers and activities learn key skills and checklists for the effective use of ‘evidence’ based policy and program development in realistic scenarios.
This workshop equips participants to:
Appreciate the importance of ‘evidence’ in policy and program development
Understand the different meanings and competing sources of ‘evidence’
Develop strategies for the effective application of ‘evidence’ in relevant public sector situations
Identify checklists for the appropriate use of evidence across a range of different situations.
