Evidence for Policy and Decision-Making
18-19 March 2010
Wellington
Brochure
Program and registration form
25-26 March 2010
Sydney
Brochure
Program and registration form
The course is designed for public sector employees who need to use or critically evaluate research evidence that informs policy and decision-making, or who may need to commission research for these purposes. Its emphasis is not on the technical aspects of research and analysis, but rather on broader issues. These issues include: the relative strengths and weaknesses of different decision-making frameworks; the perils and pitfalls of quantitative analysis; and how to best manage an evidence-gathering project, especially when it involves the engagement of private consultants.
The course will provide a high level of practical training that will enable the participants to sharpen their critical skills and make the best use of the many different options available in interpreting evidence and running research projects.
Who should attend?
The workshop is invaluable to officers and managers across a broad range of departments and agencies. It will appeal to people in a policy role but also managers in an operational or service delivery role who need critically evaluate data, evidence and reports.
Course Leader—Dr George Argyrous
George Argyrous is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, and is subject leader for the ANZSOG Masters subject 'Decision-Making Under Uncertainty'. He has taught research methods, statistics and political economy at UNSW since 1992 and has published many articles on the use and abuse of research. He is also the author of the popular international text, Statistics for Research, which is now in its third edition and has been translated into Chinese. His most recent textbook, included in this workshop, is Evidence for Policy and Decision-Making: A Practical Guide.
George has acted as a consultant to many public and private sector organisations, including the Australian Broadcasting Authority, Optus, the City of Sydney, and the New South Wales Department of Education, on a range of research projects, as well as providing training in research methods to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
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