Using evidence well

We all rely on evidence. All decisions are based on past experiences, theories and expectations. In a policymaking context, the use of evidence can be challenging: in some cases there may be a plethora of evidence, in others a dearth; evidence may be ambiguous, sometimes partly contradictory, or not directly applicable to the policy under consideration; and there may be time constraints that restrict the gathering of evidence. Using evidence well requires an understanding of how it is produced and used in the policymaking process.