Evidence-Based Policy Making: Is Evidence Based Policy Making Effective on Effectiveness and Efficiency of Higher Education Policies in Iran?

Ebrahimi, Seyyed Abbas; Danaee Fard, Hasan; Azar, Adel; Forouzandeh, Lotfollah

Evidence-Based Policy Making: Is Evidence Based Policy Making Effective on Effectiveness and Efficiency of Higher Education Policies in Iran?

Document Type : Research Article (Original Article)

Authors

Seyyed Abbas Ebrahimi ¹

Hasan Danaee Fard ²

Adel Azar ³

Lotfollah Forouzandeh ⁴

¹ PhD candidate of Public Sector Policy Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Professor, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Evidence-based policy making is a new approach in the public policy making cycle which has been continuously used across several countries. National Statistics is one of the most important factors in this approach. If generated precisely and disseminated accurately, statistical evidence can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies. The purpose of this study is to explore the evidence-based policy making with respect to statistical evidence. By using Partial Least Square (PLS) technique, a research model is developed and relationships among key determinants of the model were identified. Results from analysis of data collected from 140 policy makers and higher education professionals revealed that the evidence-based technique positively influences the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education public policies. Moreover, results showed that the lack of up-to-dated information and statistical evidence, difficulties in accessing, interpreting, and incomparability of such evidence, and finally the late distribution of statistical evidence are amongst the most important barriers of adopting this approach in higher education sector in Iran.

Keywords

Public Sector

Policy Making

Statistics

Evidence Based Policy Making