Evaluating and Using Observational Evidence: The Contrasting Views of Policy Makers and Epidemiologists.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Currently, little is known about the types of evidence used by policy makers. This study aimed to investigate how policy makers in the health domain use and evaluate evidence and how this differs from academic epidemiologists. By having a better understanding of how policy makers select, evaluate, and use evidence, academics can tailor the way in which that evidence is produced, potentially leading to more effective knowledge translation.

Methods

An exploratory mixed-methods study design was used. Quantitative measures were collected via an anonymous online survey (n = 28), with sampling from three health-related government and non-government organizations. Semi-structured interviews with policy makers (n = 20) and epidemiologists (n = 

SUBMITTER: O'Donoughue Jenkins L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5138237 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature