AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv - Call for Papers: Data for Evidence-Based Policymaking
We invite submissions for a special issue on " Data for evidence-based policymaking". Both, theoretical and applied contributions are welcome, especially those with applications of statistics in areas such as health policy, economics and labour market, environmental policies, financial policies, security, social policy or innovation promotion. Interdisciplinary contributions and examples from the international environment are expressly welcomed.
Excellent data are an utmost important foundation for an evidence-based policy. During the Covid crisis, the strong demand on quickly available data has shown to raise the risk on reducing quality of outcomes and analysis. These may cause serious societal, economic and social risks if political action is not based on evidence. The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2021) describes evidence-based policy as "based on a review of the effectiveness of a particular programme or measure". If the relevant data on the effectiveness of a measure is not yet available, it can be obtained with the help of an evaluation.
However, the first paragraph of the Leopoldina's concept paper on the "Initiative for evidence-based policymaking" already points out that the sources of information used by policymakers are "hardly manageable in their abundance and in some cases very dubious in their quality". It goes on to say: "In Germany, as in other countries, forms of evidence-based policymaking can be anchored even better than before."
The special volume explores the possibilities of modern statistical instruments for creating an evidence base for political action. Special focus will be put survey designs, including adequate data collection methods, the control and correction of survey errors and appropriate methods of analysis. Last but not least, there is a need for responsible science communication as a means of promoting data literacy among political decision-makers and media professionals.
Preferred submission topics include
- Opportunities and limitations of new forms of data collection, e.g. online surveys
- Statistical quality criteria for data and their verification in practice
- Possibilities of utilising administrative data in conjunction with surveys
- Methods for uncovering causal impact pathways including critical evaluation of prerequisites
- Statistical approaches to impact evaluation of policy measures
- Challenges of communicating uncertainty
- Discussion on quality aspects for evidence-based policy support
Guest Editors:
Ralf Münnich, University of Trier, muennich@uni-trier.de
Katharina Schüller, STAT-UP Statistical Consulting & Data Science GmbH, katharina.schueller@stat-up.com
Deadline for submission: 15 July 2024 – earlier submissions are appreciated.
Submissions follow the guidelines of the AStA - Economic and Social Statistics Archive: https://www.springer.com/journal/11943/submission-guidelines