2 - Evidence and Social Science

Question 1

Christensen

Answer 1

• Externalisation & politicisation as dominant pattern changes in policy advice BUT so is…
• Scientisation of policy advice = increasing reliance of decision-makers on policy advice by academics & scientific knowledge and claims.

Question 2

Caplan

Answer 2

Two communities theory
= Social scientists & policy makers live in separate worlds with different & often conflicting values, different reward systems, & different languages.
- Social scientist concerned with “pure” science & esotoric issues.
- Gov policymakers are action-oriented, practical persons
concerned with obvious & immediate issues.

Question 3

Newman, Cherney & Head

Answer 3

Two communities conceptualisation of relationship between policy & academia = misleading.
- More realistic approach = acknowledge range of interactions between policy & academia, with different individual policy makers valuing & using academic research more than others.