Evidence-based policy: Where is our theory of evidence?

Journal article

This article critically analyses the concept of evidence in evidence-based policy, arguing that there is a key problem: there is no existing practicable theory of evidence, one which is philosophically-grounded and yet applicable for evidence-based policy. The article critically considers both philosophical accounts of evidence and practical treatments of evidence in evidence-based policy. It argues that both fail in different ways to provide a theory of evidence that is adequate for evidence-based policy. The article contributes to the debate about how evidence can and should be used to reduce contingency in science and in policy based on science. © Pier Professional Ltd.

Authors: Cartwright, N; Goldfinch, A; Howick, J

• Journal: Journal of Children's Services
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 6-14
• Publication date: 2009-12-01
• DOI: 10.5042/jcs.2010.0017
• EISSN: 2042-8677
• ISSN: 1746-6660
• Language: English
• Keywords: Evidence-based policy; Levels of evidence; Children's services; Philosophy of science