Learning from research: systematic reviews for informing policy decisions
The EPPI Centre’s guide to using systematic reviews to inform policy decisions.
Key Concepts addressed:- 2-9 Reviews of fair comparisons should be systematic
- 2-13 Relative measures of effects can be misleading
- 2-11 All fair comparisons and outcomes should be reported
Details
Introduction
We would like to make the best decisions possible in all aspects of living, from our work to our private lives. Findings from research, considered alongside our values and resources, can help us. One might argue that in public policy and practice we have an obligation to use relevant research findings; and that it would be unethical to make decisions that affect other people without being informed. Research evidence is, of course, not the only thing that could or should inform decision making, but if it is available we should at least make good use of it.