Do Policy Makers Listen to Experts? Evidence from a National Survey of Local and State Policy Makers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
NATHAN LEE
Keyword(s):  
National Survey ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
State Policy ◽  
Elected Officials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Expert Evidence ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Policy Positions ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Behavior Theories

Do elected officials update their policy positions in response to expert evidence? A large literature in political behavior demonstrates a range of biases that individuals may manifest in evaluating information. However, elected officials may be motivated to accurately incorporate information when it could affect the welfare of their constituents. I investigate these competing predictions through a national survey of local and state policy makers in which I present respondents with established expert findings concerning three subnational policy debates, debates that vary as to whether Republicans or Democrats are more likely to see the findings as confirmatory or challenging. Using both cross-subject and within-subject designs, I find policy makers update their beliefs and preferences in the direction of the evidence irrespective of the valence of the information. These findings have implications for the application of mass political behavior theories to politicians as well as the prospects for evidence-based policy making.

scholarly journals The strategic uses of evidence in UK e-cigarettes policy debates

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Hawkins ◽  
Stefanie Ettelt
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Positions ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Bodies Of Evidence ◽  
The Uk

<sec id="st1"> Background Current debates on e-cigarette policy in the UK are highly acrimonious and are framed in terms of evidence-based policymaking.</sec> <sec id="st2"> Aims and objectives The article aims to understand the use of evidence in policymaking in the context of both political controversy and limited policy-relevant evidence via a case study of UK e-cigarette debates.</sec> <sec id="st3"> Methods The study draws on a series of semi-structured interviews with policy actors to examine their positions on e-cigarette policy process and their use of evidence to support this.</sec> <sec id="st4"> Findings Policy actors articulate a strong commitment to evidence-based policymaking and claim that their positions are evidence-based. Some actors also claim emerging consensus around their positon as a rhetorical tool in the debate. Respondents argued that actors adopting opposing policy positions fail to follow the evidence base. This is attributed to a lack of understanding or disregard for the relevant evidence for political or ideological reasons.</sec> <sec id="st5"> Discussion Respondents adhere to a rationalist understanding of policymaking in which policy disputes can be settled by recourse to ‘the evidence’. Interpretative policy analysis suggests that multiple legitimate framings of policy issues, supported by different bodies of evidence, are possible. Policy differences are thus not due to bad faith but to policy actors framing the issue at stake in different terms and thus advocating different policy responses.</sec> <sec id="st6"> Conclusions Process of ‘frame reflection’ may help to overcome the acrimony of current policy leading to more effective engagement by public health actors in the e-cigarettes policy debates.</sec>

How Nonpartisan Ballot Design Conceals Partisanship: A Survey Experiment of School Board Members in Two States

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elected Officials ◽  
Survey Experiment ◽  
School Board Members ◽  
Policy Positions ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Ballot Design ◽  
Democrats And Republicans

Studies suggest that between one-fourth and one-third of localities elect their leaders on partisan ballots. Does the presence of a party label on the ballot affect the level of partisanship in local office? I leverage the fact that within select states, school boards vary as to whether their members are elected on partisan or nonpartisan ballots. Do the differences in policy preferences between Democrats and Republicans differ across these ballot contexts? Does a party cue treatment, where respondents are reminded of the general policy positions of both parties, differentially affect elected officials in different ballot contexts? Evidence from the survey reveals a group of “polarized nonpartisans” who tend to express more partisan views about public policy than their co-partisans elected in an explicitly partisan system. At the same time, providing party cues in policy debates disproportionately moves those elected on partisan ballots as opposed to nonpartisan ones. That partisan-elected officials are more influenced by party cues appears to validate the motivations of nonpartisan reformers, yet the “polarized nonpartisans” found in the control group should give those reformers pause and reveals the need for continued research into the behavioral consequences of nonpartisan ballots.

A LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF THE PREPARATION OF LOCAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Toshkentboy Pardaev ◽  
◽  
Zhavli Tursunov
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Soviet Government ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
History Of

In the article : In the second half of the 20 century the process of preparation of local experts in South Uzbekistan industry changes in this field a clear evidence-based analysis of the problematic processes that resulted from the discriminatory policy toward the Soviet government-dominated local policy makers

scholarly journals The Deterministic Evolution Of Illicit Drug Consumption Within a Given Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 139-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusra Bibi Ruhomally ◽  
Nabeelah Banon Jahmeerbaccus ◽  
Muhammad Zaid Dauhoo
Keyword(s):  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Dynamic Evolution ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Epidemic Threshold ◽  
Drug Usage ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Reproduction Numbers

We study the NERA model that describes the dynamic evolution of illicit drug usage in a population. The model consists of nonusers (N) and three categories of drug users: the experimental (E) category, the recreational (R) category and the addict (A) category. Two epidemic threshold term known as the reproduction numbers, R0 and μ are defined and derived. Sensitivity analysis of R0 on the parameters are performed in order to determine their relative importance to illicit drug prevalence. The local and global stability of the equilibrium states are also analysed. We also prove that a transcritical bifurcation occurs at R0 = 1. It is shown that an effective campaign of prevention can help to fight against the prevalence of illicit drug consumption. We demonstrate persistence when R0 > 1 and conditions for the extinction of drug consumption are also established. Numerical simulations are performed to verify our model. Our results show that the NERA model can assist policy makers in targeting prevention for maximum effectiveness and can be used to adopt evidence-based policies to better monitor and quantify drug use trends.

Understanding rationales for collaboration in high-intensity policy conflicts

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Weible ◽  
Tanya Heikkila ◽  
Jonathan Pierce
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Questionnaire Data ◽  
Policy Actor ◽  
Policy Positions ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Shared Beliefs ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Policy Conflicts

AbstractWhy people collaborate to achieve their political objectives is one enduring question in public policy. Although studies have explored this question in low-intensity policy conflicts, a few have examined collaboration in high-intensity policy conflicts. This study asks two questions: What are the rationales motivating policy actors to collaborate with each other in high-intensity policy conflicts? What policy actor attributes are associated with these rationales? This study uses questionnaire data collected in 2013 and 2014 of policy actors from New York, Colorado and Texas who are actively involved with hydraulic fracturing policy debates. The results show that professional competence is the most important rationale for collaborating, whereas shared beliefs are moderately important, and financial resources are not important. Policy actor attributes that are associated with different rationales include organisational affiliation and extreme policy positions. This article concludes with a discussion on advancing theoretical explanations of collaboration in high-intensity policy conflicts.

Predicting and testing a silo-free delivery system

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen Florence Pepler ◽  
Joy Pridie ◽  
Steve Brown
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Time To Learn ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
Future Population

Given the scale and complexity of the challenge of addressing the aging population, increasing demand for complex and integrated care, this article sets out potential opportunities to predict a future without silos, based on international learnings. Examining another country’s health and delivery systems, it is interesting to see the similarities and differences, so we offer some reflections applicable to Canada. These models are breaking down the silos. Imagine a setting where you could collaboratively co-design scenarios, debate, refine policy, and predict future population needs. Using a transformation lab setting, governments and policy-makers, providers, patients, families, and community support groups could collaboratively take the time to learn new ways of working together in a risk-free environment before becoming accountable for delivering targeted outcomes. It is time to implement provincial transformation labs to test local strategies and operational plans to co-design scenarios, use simulation, and test the choices using evidence-based tools.

scholarly journals Development of a Consumer Engagement Framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49
Author(s):  
Lucylynn Lizarondo ◽  
Kate Kennedy ◽  
Debra Kay
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
International Association ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Group Experience

Objective: The purpose of this project was to develop a Consumer Engagement Model to plan for effective baby boomer engagement to inform policy makers in the healthcare system. This is the first stage of that process. Design: Initial model development for healthcare systems based on literature review and author group experience in evidence-based practice and research, and consumer advocacy and engagement. Setting and population: South Australian health and community service systems, and healthcare professionals that work with baby boomers. Findings: To develop an evidence-based Consumer Engagement Plan, it is recommended that policy makers undertake the four steps outlined in this document to design a question, determine consumer and community segments and scope of engagement, determine the breadth and depth of engagement and address the implications, assess risk and develop strategic partnerships to ensure the Plan is evidencebased,reasonable and achievable. Conclusions: We believe this process provides a framework for planning consumer engagement and for implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of consumer engagement for policy excellence. We propose to undertake a validation of the model thus populating the model with examples of practice-based strategies and revising the model accordingly. Abbreviations: EBP – Evidence-Based Practice; IAP2 – International Association of Public Participation; PIO – Patient Intervention and Outcome.

scholarly journals Psychiatry in the future

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 277-278
Author(s):  
Frank Holloway
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Based Medicine

In an era of evidence-based medicine, policy-makers and researchers are preoccupied by the task of ensuring that advances in research are implemented in routine clinical practice. This preoccupation has spawned a small but growing research industry of its own, with the development of resources such as the Cochrane Collaboration database and journals such as Evidence-Based Mental Health. In this paper, I adopt a philosophically quite unfashionable methodology – introspection – to address the question: how has research affected my practice?

scholarly journals Multifunctionality of agriculture, public policies and scientific evidences: Some critical issues of contemporary controversies

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Laurent ◽  
Marielle Berriet-Solliec ◽  
Marc Kirsch ◽  
Pierre Labarthe ◽  
AurélieT AurélieTrouvé
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
Public Policy Analysis ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
The Status ◽  
New Situation

Various theoretical models of public policy analysis are used to treat situations of decision-making in which public deciders have to take into account the multifunctionality of agriculture. For some, science-society relations are not really problematical. Others acknowledge the current attempts of these policy-makers to find adequate scientific knowledge, and the difficulties they encounter. These difficulties stem partly from the very content of knowledge produced by research. Could other modes of production be more efficient? The status of the knowledge produced by these approaches is a subject of debate. Bridging the divide between science and policy more effectively is not only a question of knowledge brokerage.Accessibility and reliability of the existing evidences are also problems to be addressed. The debates around evidence-based practices may provide some landmarks in this new situation although they also emphasize the limits of the tools that can be built for this purpose.  

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Practice in Primary Health Care From The Managerial Point of View: – A National Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Abelsson ◽  
Helena Morténius ◽  
Ann-Kristin Karlsson ◽  
Stefan Bergman ◽  
Amir Baigi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Health Care Managers ◽  
Care Managers ◽  
Primary Health

Abstract Background: The vast availability of and demand for evidence in modern primary health care forces clinical decisions to be made based on condensed evidence in the form of policies and guidelines. Primary health care managers play a key role in implementing these governing documents. Thus, the aim of this article was to investigate the use and availability of evidence-based practice resources from the perspective of first-line primary health care managers.Methods: The study utilized a quantitative method based on a national survey of primary health care managers. The study population was recruited nationally from Sweden and consisted of 186 respondents. The data were analysed using empirically constructed themes and validated using factor analysis. To determine the statistical significance in making comparisons, the chi-square test was utilized. Associations between variables were calculated using Spearman’s correlation. All tests were two-sided, and the significance level was set to 0.05.Results: A majority (97%) of managers stated there was an impact of guidelines and policy documents on primary health care; 84% of managers could see a direct influence in daily practices. Most of the managers (70%) stated that some adaptation had to be made when new evidence was introduced. The managers emphasised the importance of keeping themselves updated and open to new information about work routines (96%). Conclusions: Evidence-based practice has a fundamental impact on Swedish primary health care. The study illustrated a nearly unanimous response about evidence influencing daily practice. The emphasis on the importance of all staff members keeping their professional knowledge up to date can be seen as a direct result of this. An information-dense organization such as a primary health care organization would have much to gain from cooperation with regional information resources such as clinical libraries.Trial registration: Not applicable.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document