Evidence-Based Policymaking Resource Center
A collection of resources and promising state and county examples
The Pew Charitable Trusts transferred the Evidence-Based Policymaking Resource Center to Penn State University and ended its work on this collection in 2021. Please visit Penn State University’s website for more information.
In 2014, the Results First initiative developed a framework for state and county leaders interested in evidence-based policymaking. This framework consists of five key components to help governments use rigorous evidence and data to guide policy and funding decisions.
This resource center contains resources that Results First has produced on each component, including briefs exploring their key elements, fact sheets highlighting best practices to approaching each one, and analyses of states and counties implementing them in their jurisdictions. State and local government leaders can use this resource center to explore new ideas, identify promising practices, and inform their own strategies for creating a more effective government. Below, please find links to these resources.
The five key components of evidence-based policymaking:
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Budget Development
Use evidence of program effectiveness in budget processes to make more informed investment choices.
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Implementation Oversight
Support effective implementation to ensure the benefits of evidence-based programs are achieved.
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Outcome Monitoring
Measure and report outcome data to determine whether programs or priorities are achieving desired results.
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Targeted Evaluation
Support impact evaluations of select public programs to learn what works.
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Program Assessment
Review public programs to understand their evidence base.