Praxis Paper 28. Getting to Grips with Evidence: How NGOs can tackle changing needs in the use of evidence and research

Pressure from funders, beneficiaries, stakeholders and public authorities for the use of more advanced research skills and robust evidence has grown over recent years. As a result, many practitioners are grappling with issues surrounding the use of evidence.

Drawing on two webinars in May and June 2013, an online survey of practitioners, a literature review on evidence use, and discussions with practitioners and researchers throughout 2013, this paper explores issues surrounding the use of evidence by practitioners and offers ways in which practitioners can better engage with evidence in their own work.

It details some of the challenges that practitioners face, and explores different definitions of evidence, including its use in policy making, evaluations and advocacy. The paper also looks at different understandings of evidence, reflects on the social contexts and political factors that determine what counts as evidence, and explores different way in which evidence is assessed.