1. What is convincing evidence? Naved Chowdhury & Enrique Mendizabal Objective of the session: –To arrive at a definition of CONVINCING evidence –what makes evidence stick in the mind of policymakers? What types of evidence have a high level of stickiness?

2. Definitions we often use Research: “any systematic effort to increase the stock of knowledge” Policy: a “purposive course of action followed by an actor or set of actors” Evidence: “the available information supporting or otherwise a belief or proposition” Evidence-based Policy: “public policy informed by rigorously established evidence”.

3. Colloquial (Contextual) Anything that seems reasonable Policy relevant Timely Clear Message ‘Scientific’ (Context free) Proven empirically Theoretically driven As long as it takes Caveats and qualifications Different Notions of Evidence Policy Makers’ Evidence Researchers’ Evidence Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

4. Components of robust evidence & analysis (supply side) Is the evidence credible? Can we make generalisations from it? Is it reliable enough for M&E or impact assessments? Is it objective? How do we account for bias? Is it rooted in an understanding of the framing assumptions?

5. Components of robust evidence & analysis (demand side) Is the evidence policy relevant? Is it timely? Has it been delivered fast enough to inform policy decisions? Is it accessible to all key stakeholders, not just researchers? Is the evidence cost-effective? Is it interdisciplinary enough to address cross- cutting issues?

6. How is Evidence used by CSOs? Regardless, evidence is used in various stages of the policy process: –Agenda Setting –Influencing policy formulation –Influencing policy implementation –Influencing the monitoring and evaluation of policy

7. GROUP WORK 1 What are the Characteristics of Convincing Evidence? What characteristics are more important? Some characteristics could be: –Quality: rigour –Objectivity: not biased –Relevance: timing and planning –Credibility: depends on who produces it –Practicality: have practical use –Accuracy: the right solution for the problem

8. GROUP WORK 1 1.Individually think about (up to) 5 characteristics of convincing evidence 2.In groups discuss and identify (up to) 10 characteristics of convincing evidence 3.In plenary, arrive at a definitive list 4.In plenary, rank the list in order of importance or stickiness

9. GROUP WORK 2 What different types of evidence exist? What are their characteristics? Some examples of type of evidence are: –Surveys –Pilot projects –Impact assessments –Policy Analyses –Statistical Analysis –Qualitative Appraisal –Observations –Photographs and oral evidence

10. GROUP WORK 2 1.Individually, think about (up to) 5 types of evidence 2.In groups, discuss and arrive at (up to) 10 types 3.In plenary, arrive at a definitive list 4.In plenary, identify their characteristics