PFA
White Paper on evidence-based decision making Part A Assessing the use of evidence Tips and tricks Hello there! Below, I provide tips and tricks under each section of the report to help you envision a possible layout and structure. Great! I have developed this template to assist you with Part A, from a formatting and layout perspective in particular. Hope it helps! Please refer, however, to the rubric in the first instance. The template captures the ideas we discussed in our last session together, when we ran through the rubric. Feel free to use the tips and the layout below if desired. But of course, if you wish, you are welcome to come up with your own layout too. I hope these tips and tricks are handy for envisioning the look and feel of your report. Go you! Susie 1 General background to science (amend title; ~ 1 page) Tips and tricks In a nutshell - ‘Hey, decision maker, let me give you an introduction to science and its value.’ This is your opportunity to practise communicating your nuanced knowledge in a way that is accessible to a general audience, including decision makers, who are not familiar with the ideas. How do you explain and bring them on board? · Consider two to three subheadings to make the work navigable · This allows busy readers to skip to the sections of most relevance to them · You could base these subheadings upon the requirements for this page as listed in the rubric e.g. definitions, nature of science, its value (but use your own wording if desired) · Consider a diagram or figure to make complex information very easy to absorb · You can adopt these from our readings or seminars, as long as you include an informative caption, as well as a credit · Think big picture – we are not touching on your policy yet. You are explaining what science is to those who may not have your own knowledge and understanding. · You might emphasise key take-homes with well selected bullets or bold if needed (applies to all pages) 2 The importance of integrating science in policy (~1 page) Tips and tricks In a nutshell - ‘Hey, decision maker, let me explain why it is so important to integrate science in policy.’ This is your opportunity to practise justifying your arguments, using evidence such as examples, to create a compelling and persuasive case for decision makers and the public who are not familiar with the concepts. How do you justify why this matters and bring others on board with your ideas? · Consider two to three subheadings to make the work navigable · This allows busy readers to skip to the sections of most relevance to them · It is also so much easier for the author to write with a clear frame already in place · You could base these subheadings upon the requirements for this page as listed in the rubric e.g. The benefits of further integrating science in policy, the value for environment and sustainability, challenges and opportunities (but use your own wording if desired) · Consider a diagram or figure to make complex information easy and quick to absorb · You can adopt materials from the APS200 report or Likens (2010) paper but also our other readings and classes, as long as you include a citation · Think big picture – we’re not touching on your policy yet. You’re explaining the value of further integrating science in decision making in terms that the general public and decision makers find compelling e.g. efficiencies, impact, effectiveness, costs, national value, outcomes · If you are aiming for a strong grade, try to include short definitions of any key words e.g. policy. A part of this assignment is about effective communication of technical or academic information to reach and influence a diverse audience, and definitions can help bring a general audience up to speed with an unfamiliar topic. · Include two compelling examples with citations (and perhaps statistics) for the top two sub criterion/justifications outlined in the rubric for this section, to make your case more persuasive and rigorous for readers · For example, you might find and outline the positive social or economic outcomes of a real evidence-based policy action, whether that’s in Australia or abroad (carrot approach). You might alternatively point to the negative outcomes of a real-life case where science was not integrated well (stick approach). These examples can be related to your policy or any policy or topic (as this page is intended to be high level, general, and big picture). · Remember to justify why further integrating science is particularly important when it comes to issues of environment and sustainability. Hints: the rapid nature of social, economic and environmental change, dealing with novel and uncertain potential impacts or solutions, the severe negative outcomes of not responding quickly for multiple dimensions of sustainability, complexity and interconnectedness, and the rapid development of new science and technology and knowledge overall. · Using the APS200 document, briefly outline the five key challenges and opportunities associated with the process of incorporating science in policy development. 3 Policy overview (~1 page) Tips and tricks In a nutshell - ‘Hey, decision maker, let me introduce you to my policy of interest.’ This is your opportunity to familiarise yourself with the core features of your policy by explaining it to others. It is also an opportunity to practise crystallising or summarising complex information so it is concise and accessible. How do you sum up this policy quickly for someone who has never seen it before? · In this section, bring the reader up to speed with your policy in a concise way and in language appropriate for a general readership · You may need to include definitions, to bring a general reader along with you. For example, what is groundwater? What are wastes? What are exotic rodents? What is sustainable agriculture? What is sustainable energy? In this section, try to - i) clarify the aims/purpose of the policy, ii) give an overview of its history and development, iii) concisely overview/introduce the main sections or headings of the policy, and iv) list some key contributors and stakeholders if the information is available · Consider subheadings, tables, or bold to make the section navigable · If there is really detailed information you want to provide the reader with access to from the policy, but this is not absolutely core to your report, refer the reader to the Appendices. E.g. The key stakeholders are X, Y and Z (see Appendix 2 for specific details). This way you avoid distracting your reader from your core messages. If they wish to dive deeper, they have the option. · Those working on large policies have the option to choose just one part/component to focus upon and overview · Remember to list your policy name (and part if appropriate) in this section 4 Assessing the integration of evidence (~3/4-1 page) Tips and tricks · Do some research into the policy, and outline how and where science may have been integrated in the policy cycle (Figure 2 of APS200 document) · We recommend you include a very short description of points of integration. This will need to be concise. A summary table may work well. E.g. We completed a preliminary assessment of where science had been integrated in the policy (Table 1 or Appendix 1). Explain the table. E.g. There was some integration at policy stages X and Y, however, there was limited uptake at stages A and B. · Describe one instance/area, of your choice and of interest to you, where you think the evidence could be more rigorous or integrated better. State the stage of the policy cycle. · In your explanation of this chosen gap, use at least two concepts from Carly, Tomas or Susie (see rubric) e.g. peer review, causation, replication, paradigm shifts in the field, multiple lines of evidence, sustainability science, effect modifiers, other. · State one highly relevant long- OR short-term strategy for improving the uptake of evidence in the area for improvement you have identified (see APS200 Table 1: Strategies at each stage of the policy cycle). I would explain/justify your choice. · It is fine for policy team members to cover the same gap and share figures, tables and ideas but make the writing your own voice. 5 Conclusion (~5-7 lines or bullets) Tips and tricks Bring it home! Reinforce key points so it sticks. Summarise your main points for all of Part A in a few lines, to help a busy reader get across the information covered in the entire report quickly. Some busy readers might only read this part! Include, for example, a line on what science is, why we need to further integrate science in policy and particularly in environment and sustainability, a line on the nature and scope of the policy you are working on, and a line summarising whether science was integrated well throughout and one area where you think the evidence base could be improved. It is tough to write this concisely – but this is a hugely important skill for getting your ideas read and taken on board, particularly at work! You can do it. References Tips and tricks · Use the APA referencing style. We use this style in all ENS5010 assessments · Ensure capitalisation is uniform/consistent throughout the list, particularly with titles · List references in alphabetical order by first author surname/organisation · Avoid bullet points or numbered lists in the reference list · It is okay to repeat in-text citations, such as the APS200, in this style of report · Grey literature is also more than fine to use · Check the rubric for further information, and other general style tips for the report · The reference list does not contribute to the four page limit Appendices (no page limit) Tips and tricks · This is where you may wish to house technical and/or highly detailed information that a busy reader might not find crucial · Put items here that may possibly distract the reader from the crux of your argument, but you would like them to be able to refer to if desired. · The Appendices section is unlimited, so feel free to use this if the overall page limit is constraining you · The Appendices do not count towards the four page limit Format Tips for Tables and Figures · Tables and figures in this section still need informative captions · Tell the reader what they should take away from each within the caption · Number the Appendices (Appendix 1, 2 etc.) · Captions go above tables and below figures (weird professional formatting rule) · If the information is not your own, add a citation Example only Appendix 1 Table 1: Add a detailed caption, with a citation, and key take-homes you want the reader to focus on when reading the table. What is this? What should they draw out from it/how should they read this? Adapted from Brown et al