The art and science of using evidence: an evidence map, synthesis and evidence-informed guidelines for supporting the use of evidence in low- and middle-income countries

Increasing evidence use

Laurenz Langer

Africa Centre for Evidence, University of Johannesburg

January 2020 to March 2021 (TBC)

Evidence synthesis

Low- and middle-income countries

This research project will identify what works in supporting evidence-informed policymaking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and develop evidence-informed guidelines for strengthening evidence-use in LMICs.

The project will address the following questions:

1. What is the size and nature of the existing evidence base on evidence-informed policymaking in LMICs?
2. Which interventions are effective in supporting evidence-informed policymaking and in what contexts?
3. How can the evidence base on evidence-informed policymaking in LMICs be used to inform improved practical guidance for policymakers that supports strengthened individual and institutionalised evidence use?

The study team will use systematic review methodology to produce:

1. An evidence map of existing evaluations and assessments of evidence-informed policymaking interventions in LMICs;
2. A rapid evidence synthesis on what works for evidence-informed policymaking and in what contexts; and
3. Evidence-informed guidelines for strengthening evidence-use.

The team will draw on a full range of available empirical evidence on applied evidence-informed interventions in LMICs, including grey literature and programme data.

This project will directly support the demand for evidence-informed policymaking in LMICs by (1) establishing an open-access hub collating the existing knowledge on what works for evidence-informed policymaking; and (2) producing evidence-informed guidelines on how to implement and institutionalise strategies and interventions to support evidence-use. The guidelines will be piloted with the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation in South Africa, the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda, and the ministries of health in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.