Where do we access evidence?

When we develop policy, deliver programmes or carry out research we all take slightly different routes to finding the evidence that helps to shape our decision making process. Every individual has their own range of contacts, systems and networks that they often rely on to support their search for evidence. However, a very simple but persistent barrier that prevents us from using evidence is not being able to find it easily using online systems. This can lead us to relying on a few well known sources that effectively serves to limit the information that flows through to us.

In the organisation where I work – the UK Department for International Development (DFID) – the results from our 2013 Evidence Survey demonstrated that only 30% of staff agreed with the statement that evidence was ‘easy to find’. Indeed, staff identified that the two main barriers to using evidence in DFID were easily finding evidence and having enough time to consider evidence.

I will try to not make any false assumptions, but I would be happy to take a wild guess that the longer you spend searching for evidence, the less time you will actually have to consider it (unless of course you work in a mystery Utopian world that involves a lack of deadlines and bundles of spare time….in which case I would like to meet you to understand how you came to find yourself in this luxurious position).

Networks such as the AEN can provide great value by expanding our knowledge of the different online systems that exist to support better policy development. As a DFID Research Uptake Manager I thought it would be helpful to provide a brief outline of the systems that we fund to improve access to southern research and also provide links to some of the more well-known global resources that are available.

The resources outlined below are open platforms that provide access to synthesised research, impact evaluations and policy briefings with a development orientated focus. Clearly, this is bias towards my preferences, not anywhere near exhaustive and requires comments from all of you to help us uncover the less well known platforms that provide access to rigorous evidence (this is not one for the ‘Google Lovers Club’ – though it is obviously often the best choice for a number of reasons).

One of the key questions about these ‘systems’ that I keep referring to is about how they actually support development practice and ultimately support efforts to reduce poverty. DFID is doing some thinking about the value of online research portals and repositories that we have funded, past and present, through an independent evaluation that we recently commissioned. The evaluation will investigate the information needs and information-seeking behaviour on the internet, of development practitioners. Despite significant programming efforts in this area in recent years we still have surprisingly little rigorous evidence about what works and why. We look forward to sharing the findings of the work early next year.

And finally, here is the list that I keep on referring too. Go forth and access evidence!

For comments and suggestions on additional online platforms, research portals, and repositories please email cfar@uj.ac.za

We would like to thank everybody who has suggested additional helpful online platforms over the last two weeks. Based on these, we provided an updated list below: