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A Brief History of Evidence-Based Policy

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  • Jon Baron

Abstract

This article provides a brief history of evidence-based policy, which it defines as encompassing (1) the application of rigorous research methods, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to build credible evidence about “what works†to improve the human condition; and (2) the use of such evidence to focus public and private resources on effective interventions. Evidence-based policy emerged first in medicine after World War II, and has made tremendous contributions to human health. In social policy, a few RCTs were conducted before 1980, but the number grew rapidly in U.S. welfare and employment programs during the 1980s and 1990s and had an important impact on government policy. Since 2000, evidence-based policy has seen a major expansion in other social policy areas, including education and international development assistance. A recent milestone is the U.S. enactment of “tiered evidence†social programs in which rigorous evidence is the defining principle in awarding government funding for interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Baron, 2018. "A Brief History of Evidence-Based Policy," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 678(1), pages 40-50, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:678:y:2018:i:1:p:40-50
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716218763128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angus Deaton, 2010. "Instruments, Randomization, and Learning about Development," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 48(2), pages 424-455, June.
    2. Manning, Willard G, et al, 1987. "Health Insurance and the Demand for Medical Care: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(3), pages 251-277, June.
    3. Howard S. Bloom & Carolyn J. Hill & James A. Riccio, 2003. "Linking program implementation and effectiveness: Lessons from a pooled sample of welfare-to-work experiments," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(4), pages 551-575.
    4. Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst, 2018. "The Institute of Education Sciences: A Model for Federal Research Offices," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 678(1), pages 124-133, July.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jesper Dahl Kelstrup & Jonas Videbæk Jørgensen, 2024. "Explaining differences in research utilization in evidence-based government ministries," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 57(2), pages 257-280, June.
    3. Masahiro Sugiyama & Jun Muto, 2024. "Measuring policy analytical capacity in renewable energy policy: Germany‐Japan‐US comparison," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 41(1), pages 184-209, January.
    4. Jesper Dahl Kelstrup, 2024. "Understanding the role of practical knowledge in evidence-based welfare reform—a three-stage model," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Yongjin Choi & Ashley M. Fox & Jennifer Dodge, 2022. "What counts? Policy evidence in public hearing testimonies: the case of single-payer healthcare in New York State," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 55(4), pages 631-660, December.
    6. Ternovski, John & Keppeler, Florian & Jilke, Sebastian & Vogel, Dominik, 2023. "Scaling Behavioral Interventions in the Presence of Spillover," OSF Preprints k5uap, Center for Open Science.

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