The evidence-to-policy conundrum and how to solve it

Does better evidence lead to better policies and programs? Massive amounts of reliable evidence, drawing on scientifically strong methods, including randomized controlled trials, mixed-methods approaches, and more, have been generated and disseminated in recent decades. A Nobel Prize has been awarded for that pathbreaking work. Yet the impact of that evidence – on what policymakers and program implementers think and do – has been far below expectations, even pitifully tiny according to some accounts. billion people.

Insights from the Development Evidence Portal – the Middle East and North Africa

Our latest piece in the ‘state of the evidence’ series – which interprets data by unpacking the studies in our Development Evidence Portal (DEP) – focuses on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. . The DEP currently includes 740 impact evaluations (IE) and 352 systematic reviews (SR) from the region, which is the second smallest amongst regions containing low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). Interested readers are encouraged to further explore the DEP for additional data not covered in this blog.

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Latest blogs

Mapping the evidence on the effects of rule of law interventions on justice outcomes

Ada Sonnenfeld, Birte Snilstveit, Lina Khan, Anna Fox 08 October 2020 blog

The systematic use of evidence can help inform decisions on what research to conduct, what interventions to implement and how to improve the effectiveness of programs.

#Evidence Dialogues: Peacebuilding programs are stronger when informed by evidence, despite the constraints of their environments

Paul Thissen 30 September 2020 blog

In response to new and ongoing violent conflicts, the international community increasingly reacts not just with humanitarian aid, but also with innovative transitional assistance and peacebuilding programs. In 3ie's inaugural Evidence Dialogue webinar, our panel of experts discussed some new evidence about effective peacebuilding approaches, the role of evidence in designing peacebuilding programming, and the constraints which make both implementation and evaluation difficult.

Shifting forest management to local control may reduce deforestation, without payments to anyone

Paul Thissen 29 September 2020 blog

The timeframes over which the studies analyzed data also varied widely. Most were evaluated a few years after implementation, while the 1931 establishment of Van Panchayats (Village Forest Councils) in India was evaluated with data from 1931 through 2001.

Paying people to protect the trees on their land may reduce deforestation

Paul Thissen 25 August 2020 blog

It is no surprise that trees, which breathe in carbon dioxide, are key to the fight against climate change. Keeping existing forests intact is one pillar in the ongoing efforts to slow the planet's warming. By one estimate, tropical deforestation is responsible for more carbon dioxide emissions each year than the entire European Union.

Message from our executive director

Marie Gaarder 15 July 2020 blog

3ie’s executive director Marie Gaarder takes stock of the last few months as head of 3ie. She reflects on some of the challenges, opportunities and measures that 3ie is taking to respond to the complexities facing us all today.

Text message reminders help people make healthy choices

Paul Thissen 14 July 2020 blog

The research on the topic has included a wide range of healthy behaviors: getting immunizations, attending medical appointments, taking medications for chronic illnesses like AIDS, quitting smoking, exercising, practicing safe sex, and drinking less alcohol.

In the right circumstances, market support interventions may yield big dividends for food security

Paul Thissen 06 July 2020 blog

This post looks at interventions that work differently, intervening in the market systems behind the food supply. The evidence on their effectiveness is exploratory and preliminary, which is why we are working on an evidence gap map to show what evidence exists and where more studies are needed.

In humanitarian emergencies, cash-based social assistance is cheaper than food distribution, and it works just as well

Paul Thissen 23 June 2020 blog

Cash-based approaches to social protection programs are getting a lot of attention during the COVID crisis. By one count, cash transfers are the most common type of government assistance response to the pandemic.

How do food system interventions affect food security and nutrition? We're mapping the evidence

Ingunn Storhaug, Rike Riesmeier 22 June 2020 blog

Malnutrition is a global issue which disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). To make sure nutrition programmes that promote affordable, accessible, diverse and balanced diets for healthy growth and development are planned based on the best available evidence, we're creating an evidence gap map (EGM).

Using social media for community health outreach during the crisis: What evidence is available?

Paul Thissen, Jennifer Doherty 09 June 2020 blog

At 3ie, we advocate for the use of the most rigorous evidence possible – but when circumstances are unprecedented, such evidence can be hard to find. In recent blog posts, we've looked at high-quality research on issues that are on many minds now relating to hand washing and vaccination campaigns.

About

Evidence Matters is 3ie’s blog. It primarily features contributions from staff and board members. Guest blogs are by invitation.

3ie publishes blogs in the form received from the authors. Any errors or omissions are the sole responsibility of the authors. Views expressed are their own and do not represent the opinions of 3ie, its board of commissioners or supporters.