- By Dartington SRU
- Posted on Tuesday 12th May, 2015
Belief trumps evidence for MPs
MPs are more likely to rely on their personal beliefs than on evidence from randomised controlled trials when justifying support for policies, suggests a recent survey. These findings are based on a survey of 104 members of the previous parliament, interviewed in November and December 2014. Sense About Science, a charitable trust focusing on connecting members of the public and scientific evidence…
Read more- By Dartington SRU
- Posted on Monday 13th October, 2014
Standards of evidence - helpful or a hindrance?
If I want to buy a new washing machine or TV, the first thing I do is check out Which? magazine for a review of the best buys. I don't think of looking anywhere else. I trust what they say. Their reviews makes it easy to compare one product with another and find one that meets my requirements. It is a shame there isn't something like this for commissioners and policy makers in children's services.…
Read more- By Dartington SRU
- Posted on Thursday 22nd May, 2014
Disciplined innovation
Evidence-based programmes (EBPs) come in for a fair amount of criticism – some justified, some plain ill-informed. One of the more common criticisms is that greater investment in EBPs results in less interest in and opportunity for innovation. Unhelpfully, these two approaches are often presented as an either/or option: if you are for EBPs you must be against innovation, and vice versa.Any portf…
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