Evidence for Good 2018 (Wales)

19/03/2019

Published: July 2018

Author: Emma Taylor-Collins

Published by: The Alliance for Useful Evidence (http://www.alliance4usefulevidence.org)

This report shows that evidence that is underpinned by robust and independent research can have a range of practical benefits.

Key learning points:

  • Using evidence doesn’t have to be costly

There is a lot of robust, often freely available evidence in the public domain. Before conducting your own research think of how you can make use of what is already out there.

It’s worth exploring university funding and funding council opportunities for collaborative research opportunities that are mutually beneficial as they bring additional benefits.

  • Transparency improves the sector

Systematic reviews are a good place to start for understanding what works in different contexts. Sharing knowledge about what doesn’t work with other organisations can help the whole sector to become better at what they do.

  • Proving what we think we already know

Research can inform service design and can add credibility to what you do. It is important to challenge assumptions and seek independent perspectives.

  • Evidence can give you more than you bargained for

Be open minded about what you might find, think creatively about what you are measuring and think a bit differently about how evidence could change the way you do business not just the way you deliver programs.

  • Don’t forget the people

Involving staff of all levels in a piece of research from start to finish is key to embedding learning across the whole organisation. Good evidence needs to be communicated in the right way and to the right audiences. Any investment in evidence should be accompanied an investment in relationship building.

Read full report here.