25-26 March 2010, Sydney

Evidence is an essential ingredient of contemporary public policy-making. For public sector employees, this poses many challenges. What qualifies as evidence, and is all evidence equal?  How can contrasting and even contradictory information be evaluated – and perhaps even more important, how can officers or managers, untrained in statistical analysis, assess the effectiveness of an evidence-gathering proposal? With increasing amounts and complexity of evidential information on offer, where to start, and how to identify critical gaps?

Evidence for Policy and Decision-Making is designed for public sector employees who need to use or critically evaluate research evidence that informs policy and decision-making, or who may need to commission research for these purposes. Its emphasis is not on the technical aspects of research and analysis, but rather on broader issues. These issues include: the relative strengths and weaknesses of different decision-making frameworks; the perils and pitfalls of quantitative analysis; and how to best manage an evidence-gathering project, especially when it involves the engagement of private consultants.

Lead by Dr George Argyrous of the University of New South Wales, this workshop will provide a high level of practical training that will enable the participants to sharpen their critical skills and make the best use of the many different options available in interpreting evidence and running research projects.

For more information and to register please visit the ANZSOG website.
Enquiries: Lechée Donato, l.donato@anzsog.edu.au or 03 9285 9116.