Evidence & Policy

Scope & Guideline

Uniting Scholars and Policymakers for Greater Impact

Introduction

Welcome to the Evidence & Policy information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Evidence & Policy, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1744-2648
PublisherPOLICY PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2006 to 2024
AbbreviationEVID POLICY / Evid. Polciy
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressUNIV BRISTOL, 1-9 OLD PARK HILL, BRISTOL BS2 8BB, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Evidence & Policy' aims to bridge the gap between research and policy, focusing on the effective use of evidence in policymaking processes. It emphasizes the role of knowledge brokers and the integration of diverse methodologies to enhance the impact of research on real-world policy decisions.
  1. Knowledge Mobilisation and Brokering:
    The journal explores the mechanisms and strategies for mobilising research evidence effectively within policymaking contexts, highlighting the role of knowledge brokers and intermediaries.
  2. Evidence-Based Policy Analysis:
    Research published in this journal critically examines the processes and outcomes of evidence-based policymaking, assessing how evidence is interpreted and utilized.
  3. Community Engagement and Co-Production:
    A significant focus is placed on the co-production of knowledge, emphasizing collaborative approaches that involve stakeholders, community members, and researchers in the policymaking process.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that draws from various fields, including health, education, and social sciences, to address complex policy challenges.
  5. Evaluation of Policy Impact:
    Research evaluating the impact of policies, particularly in health and social services, is a core theme, providing insights into effective practices and lessons learned.
Recent publications in 'Evidence & Policy' reveal several emerging trends that highlight the evolving landscape of research and its application in policymaking. These trends reflect a growing recognition of the complexity and interactivity of knowledge production and policy implementation.
  1. Crisis Response and Resilience:
    There is an increasing focus on the role of evidence in crisis situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how rapid response frameworks and real-time data can inform policy decisions.
  2. Equity and Inclusion in Policy:
    Emerging themes emphasize equity and inclusion, particularly concerning marginalized communities, as the journal explores how diverse perspectives can enhance policy relevance and effectiveness.
  3. Innovative Knowledge Exchange Methods:
    Research exploring creative and innovative methods for knowledge exchange, such as arts-based approaches and participatory research, is gaining traction, reflecting a shift towards more engaging and accessible forms of evidence dissemination.
  4. Intersectoral Collaboration:
    There is a growing trend in examining how intersectoral collaboration (between health, education, and social services, for example) can lead to more comprehensive and effective policy solutions.
  5. Role of Technology in Evidence Use:
    The impact of digital tools and technologies on knowledge mobilization and evidence use in policymaking is increasingly being explored, indicating a trend towards leveraging technology for better policy outcomes.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to address various important themes, some areas of focus appear to be declining in prominence. This shift may reflect changes in policy priorities or emerging methodologies that overshadow older themes.
  1. Traditional Evidence Hierarchies:
    There is a noticeable decline in publications emphasizing rigid evidence hierarchies, such as randomized controlled trials, as the journal moves towards more nuanced discussions of evidence use.
  2. Static Policy Frameworks:
    Research focusing on static, one-size-fits-all policy frameworks is becoming less frequent, with a shift towards dynamic and context-sensitive approaches to policy development.
  3. Limited Scope of Health Policies:
    While health policy remains a significant topic, the focus on narrow, disease-specific policies is waning in favor of broader discussions on health equity and social determinants of health.
  4. Top-Down Policymaking Models:
    There is a decreasing emphasis on top-down policymaking models, as the journal increasingly promotes participatory and co-produced policy processes.
  5. Standardised Evaluation Metrics:
    Fewer articles are focusing on standardised metrics for evaluating policy effectiveness, indicating a shift towards more qualitative and context-specific evaluation methods.

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