Evidence-based policy or policy-based evidence? Reflections on Scottish experience

Devolved government in Scotland is maturing and seeking new policy approaches to complex economic and social problems. A recent shift of focus towards outcomes signals potential strengthening of the role of evidence in policy making and the development of strategic policy frameworks has involved extensive use of evidence. The way in which evidence is used in policy making depends upon particular circumstances so it is necessary to be cautious about generalisations such as ‘policy-based evidence’. The pragmatic notion of ‘intelligent policy making’ provides an appropriate normative conception to inspire our efforts to change our increasingly complex world for the better.