A call for evidence-based policy

Excellent!

"Many social, educational and economic policies are the modern equivalent of Dr Spock’s advice that babies should sleep face down: well-meaning, authoritative – and wrong. No doubt it would be awkward to see the wisdom of experts punctured and the pet policies of politicians discredited on a regular basis. But if politicians really cared about those they represent, they would insist on more randomised trials and more systematic reviews of what works." Extract from FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Political ideas need proper testing

See also Productivity Commission Chairman Gary Banks' detailed suggestions.

Tags for this entry: data evidence ideas