Summary
Contents
Subject index
This book is designed for students of Politics and International Relations at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. It provides explanations of fifty core concepts in political research methods and, uniquely, explains how these methods can be used in International Relations. Where relevant, alternative research concepts and strategies are suggested. Each ‘concept’ will incorporate a simple definition, a focused explanation, an examination of key debates and areas of research, along with cross-references to other related concepts. This format allows students and researchers alike to utilise the text either as a companion to specific modules, or on a ‘dip into’ basis. Key Features: - Provides an overview of the place of each concept in Politics and International Relations under the headings: meaning, origins and current usage. - Concepts are grouped into sections corresponding to the main themes usually covered in teaching. - Relevant concepts in the book are emboldened and linked by listing at the end of each concept - Guidance is provided to further reading on each of the concepts discussed.
Evidence-based Policy Making (EBPM)
Evidence-based Policy Making (EBPM)
It seems counter-intuitive to argue that policy should not be based on evidence: ‘It is difficult to imagine anyone arguing that policy should be based on anything but the best available evidence. The concept of evidence-based policy has an intuitive, commonsense logic’ (Marston and Watts, 2003: 144). As ever in social science research, though, it all comes down to a matter of meaning. EBPM is a contested concept and practice.
On reflection, this rather innocuous phrase raises significant normative concerns: ‘for instance, how should evidence be collected, what evidence should be used and how should that evidence be used?’ (Wells, 2007: 23). Such issues reflect the ontological, epistemological and methodological debates inherent in the social sciences. EBPM is positivist ...
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