Evidence-Informed vs Evidence-Based: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to making decisions in a professional setting, relying on evidence is becoming increasingly important. In fact, it’s often considered essential. However, there’s more than one way to approach the concept of using evidence to inform decision-making. In this blog post, we’ll explore the difference between evidence-informed and evidence-based approaches, and why it matters for professionals in a variety of fields.
What is Evidence-Based Decision-Making?
The term “evidence-based” is familiar to many professionals, particularly those in the medical and public health fields. Essentially, evidence-based decision-making involves using the best available scientific evidence to inform decisions. This typically involves a systematic review of research studies, with the goal of identifying the most rigorous, high-quality studies that relate to a particular decision or question.
For example, a healthcare provider might use evidence-based decision-making when choosing a treatment plan for a patient. They may review research studies to identify which treatments have been most effective in similar patients, and use that evidence to guide their decision.
What is Evidence-Informed Decision-Making?
While evidence-based decision-making is often considered the gold standard, it’s not always feasible or appropriate in every situation. Evidence-informed decision-making, on the other hand, involves considering a wide variety of evidence sources alongside other factors, such as professional expertise and client or stakeholder perspective.
For example, a social worker might use evidence-informed decision-making when developing a plan for a child in foster care. In addition to reviewing research studies on effective interventions, they might also consider factors such as the child’s personality, family dynamics, and community resources.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
While evidence-based decision-making can be valuable in many situations, it’s not always the best fit. Here are a few reasons why evidence-informed decision-making might be a better choice:
1. Not all questions have robust research available. In some cases, a decision may need to be made quickly, before rigorous research is available. Relying solely on evidence-based decision-making in these situations could mean missing important opportunities or making suboptimal choices.
2. Evidence-based decision-making doesn’t account for context. Every situation is unique, and what works in one context may not work in another. Evidence-informed decision-making allows for a broader range of factors to be taken into account, resulting in more tailored and effective decisions.
3. Other stakeholders matter. Evidence-based decision-making relies almost exclusively on quantitative research data, which can make it difficult to incorporate the perspectives and needs of other stakeholders. Evidence-informed decision-making allows for a more holistic approach that includes qualitative data and stakeholder perspectives.
Examples of Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Decisions
To illustrate the difference between the two approaches, let’s consider a few examples:
Example 1: A school administrator needs to decide whether to invest in a new program to improve students’ reading skills. An evidence-based approach might involve reviewing research studies on effective reading interventions, and selecting the intervention with the most evidence supporting its effectiveness. An evidence-informed approach might also consider factors such as the school’s budget, teacher expertise, and student needs and preferences.
Example 2: A city planner needs to decide how to allocate resources to address homelessness in the community. An evidence-based approach might involve reviewing research studies on effective interventions, and allocating resources to programs that have the most evidence supporting their effectiveness. An evidence-informed approach might also consider factors such as the availability of community resources, the opinions and needs of people experiencing homelessness, and the political and social context of the community.
Conclusion
While evidence-based decision-making is an important and useful tool in many situations, it’s not always the best fit. Evidence-informed decision-making allows for a more tailored, contextualized approach that can lead to better outcomes. By understanding the difference between the two approaches, professionals can make more informed decisions and better serve their clients and stakeholders.
