Evaluation for the Real World: The Impact of Evidence in Policy Making

Evaluation research findings should be a key element of the policymaking process, but in reality, they are often disregarded. Evaluation for the Real World examines the use—and nonuse—of evaluation research by decision makers. Analyzing the frameworks and criteria of various evaluation procedures, it highlights the impact evaluation has on public policy with an emphasis on the real world of decision making in the public sector and the political and economic pressures it faces. Assessing the work of influential academics in both the United States and UK, the authors formulate strong arguments for the adoption of a different approach to evaluation.

Colin Palfrey has worked for a number of local UK authorities and several universities. Paul Thomas is an honorary research fellow at Swansea University, and he chairs two multi-agency working groups on public involvement in decision-making. Ceri Phillips is professor of health economics and head of research at the School of Human and Health Sciences at Swansea University. Together the three are coauthors of Policy Evaluation in the Public Sector and Evaluating Health and Social Care.