Handbook

This course examines the use of and reliance upon research and expert opinion in policy making, in the context of the pressure for 'evidence-based' policy and contestability of advice. You will explore issues around reliability and validity of research and develop skills in assessing the quality and relevance of evidence related to specific policy problems. This course has a strong focus on knowledge translation, that is, how we can use high-quality data to impact decision-making processes for social and policy change. You will complete practical tasks including critically assessing published research and data on pressing policy issues, and develop skills to interpret, analyse, and extrapolate meaningful information from research and to contextualise your findings within broader political, social and theoretical frameworks. You will also learn how to apply research findings to build a case for evidence-based policy change.