Evidence in Development Policymaking and Practice

Abstract

Decision-makers in development want to ensure that they put resources into strategies and projects that make the biggest dif- ference. And for that, they need evidence. But what is evidence? Much of the focus is on scientific evidence, which can be very valuable and useful, but also has its limitations. Different kinds of evidence exist without a general hierarchy to evaluate them. The choice of method, and hence the type of evidence, follows from the questions being asked and the context. The crux is not so much what evidence is, but how it is approached. Decision-makers should employ an inclusive approach to defining evidence. The evidence principles developed by Bond are a promising approach.