Welcome to Foundation for Evidence-based Development in India(FEDI)
Welcome to Foundation for Evidence-based Development in India(FEDI)
OUR TOOLS AND SERVICES
While concentrating to follow the practice of evidence-based methods in India, FEDI strives to use the specific tools which directly or indirectly help to strengthen policies and practices. The importance of 'evidence-based' criteria in Governments’ decision making determines what kind of programs work, how they work, in what circumstances and at what cost they work and which groups can get most benefits from those programs. This ultimately helps policymakers, program implementers and funding organizations to justify their choice of social, economic, health and other interventions.
FEDI, therefore, hinges on the following research activities which help to develop evidence-based policy.
Systematic review is strongest form of evidence which helps to make decisions and evaluations evidence-based by synthesizing and collating the aggregate results of every study of an intervention (or of competing interventions) that can be found. Policymakers who use systematic reviews say that such reviews help them make decisions about allocating scarce resources and responding to advocacy for covering particular interventions. Systematic reviews address a specific policy problem by using specific strategies to minimize bias and error and to arrive on a scientifically justified answer.
A quick overview of existing research on a policy question to provide a balanced assessment of what is already known about a policy or practice issue. It involves searching studies systematically and synthesis/critical appraisal of the relevant research thereby to answer the rapid evidence assessment question. The study is often limited by time or scope of the search. Rapid evidence assessments aim to be rigorous and explicit in method and thus systematic but make concessions to the breadth or depth of the process by limiting particular aspects of the systematic review process.
Review of reviews help to solve a policy question in a particular area when there has already been considerable research and a number of research reviews undertaken. Unlike systematic reviews, this method doesn’t include primary studies but only includes existing reviews, preferably systematic and meta-analysis. Review of review acts as an umbrella research summing up results of previous policy oriented research thereby updating their results and arriving on a wide scope decision.
Meta-analysis guides policy decisions through giving analytical picture of large populations and areas for a particular problem. This is a quantitative synthesis of research findings which helps mainly to compare or combine the findings of systematically chosen primary studies from a population. By combining results, a policymaker assesses the magnitude and significance of various statistical measures which provide details on populations. By comparing results, a policymaker is interested in identifying moderators of effect sizes i.e. characteristics of populations. It also identifies sources of similarities and differences in results across studies within a large population. In sum, conducting a meta-analysis is one of the most compelling ways to develop policy based on empirical findings.
Since the Governments are concerned towards attribution of their programs and their outcomes, FEDI traces out cause and effect relationship between them through evidence based approach. While carrying out such evaluation ‘the context’ is kept in the center of activity despite the process being thoroughly scientific. Quantitative as well as qualitative evaluation techniques are used to develop critical understanding and to judge the replicability of public policy and development interventions. The common features of these impact evaluations are to estimate the counterfactual, independent and unbiased evaluations, control of external factors and building evidence for future use.
Evidence based monitoring and evaluation provides credible, reliable and useful information on a public policy program and enables the decision-makers to incorporate the recommendations into the ongoing program or to consider future modifications. The recommendations are based on reliable in-process data which provides conviction to accept or deny the validity of the questions emerged out of monitoring and evaluation itself. In evidence-based interventions, monitoring and evaluation is often incorporated within the ongoing program which keeps providing feedback about the possible inherent errors in the program design when the program progresses and interacts with the ground situations. The method focuses on measuring program progress, detecting problems, correcting them, improving performance and gaining knowledge to further development of the program for other locations. This activity also helps to develop guidelines and policies for implementers and stakeholders. On the basis of the feedback on design, implementation, results and impact of the interventions, evidence-based monitoring and evaluation ultimately provides dependable information for development partners and decision makers.
In need of forward-looking and reformist policies which tackle causes and not the symptoms of the public problems, Governments must produce policies shaped by evidence. FEDI aims to help Governments to develop evidence-based public policy which is informed by rigorously established objective evidence. Such a policy uses scientifically rigorous research to identify programs and practices capable of improving policy relevant outcomes. It incorporates good data, analytical skills and continuous political and administrative consultation.
Guidelines ensure Governments’ distinct role in delivery of State services mainly in health care and agriculture. These guidelines for service delivery are classified by the balance of risk versus benefit of the service and the level of evidence on which they are based. Guidelines are developed by integrating evidence-based content into quality of work enhancing methods for service personnel. FEDI plans to assist governments in developing guidelines which the governments can use to empower their service systems by making them more effective and precise.
In compliance with its mission statement, FEDI aims to contribute to dissemination of knowledge and skills related to evidence-based research among the professionals, researchers and students in India. FEDI will engage experts/consultants for training programs or seminars which aim to promote evidence-based approach. By this, FEDI foresees to enhance practice and policy decision making and strengthening the linkage between research knowledge and practice. For this, FEDI can provide training services to the willing institutions and also to collaborate with international agencies to organized independent proactive training programs.