MEDIA RELEASE
DPME TO LANCH EVIDENCE MAPPING TOOL
The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the University of Johannesburg’s programme to Build Capacity to Use Research Evidence (UJ-BCURE) will launch a new international research synthesis methodology to inform decision-making in the public service, piloted in the Human Settlements sector.
Evidence maps are an evidence synthesis tool that allows decision-makers to rapidly access a body of evidence relevant to their policy questions. This evidence is then mapped against a policy framework and visualised on an interactive evidence interface to allow public servants to interrogate and engage with the evidence.
Evidence maps aim to facilitate the use of evidence by public officials, they present a method to inform decision-making using the best available evidence. The maps are most helpful when a Department is engaging in the formulation of new policies or is proposing a review and potential shift of existing policies
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Monday, 19 September 2016
Time: 16h30 – 18h30
Venue: Lombardy Boutique Hotel & Conference Venue, Cole Rd & Graham Road, Shere, Pretoria East, 0084
Note for editors:
ABOUT HUMAN SETTLEMENT EVIDENCE MAPPING
DPME undertook a pilot Evidence Mapping exercise in 2015/16 in response to a critical policy moment in the human settlement sector in South Africa generating a high demand for policy-relevant evidence.
DPME applied a range of new mechanisms in the production of the evidence map to support collaboration between the public and the research sector. First, the Department conceptualised an explicit match-making procedure in which each internal team member was matched with an outside expert in order to transfer and sustain capacity to DPME following the completion of the project.
Second, the Department implemented a process of embedded engagement in which internal and external stakeholders were involved from the onset shaping the scope and direction of the project.
Third, the Department engaged in a team mentoring on evidence synthesis skills with the University of Johannesburg.
Fourth, in collaboration with DHS, the Department developed a policy narrative for the evidence map identifying a custodian for it and outlining its potential contribution to the new White Paper.
Fifth, the project was embedded in the wider good governance framework of the South African government. In sum, these mechanisms allowed the Department to lead the adaption of a research methodology in order to suit the decision-making needs of public servants as well as to co-produce a policy-relevant evidence synthesis in the human settlements sector.
The evidence map was produced over nine months by a team of eight policy-makers and researchers. IT experts and data capturers built and programmed an interactive evidence interface to host the evidence map which is owned by DPME. The team collected and screened 2,280 pieces of evidence, including 437 different studies and reports on the evidence map. Seventy-three human settlements researchers in the country were contacted and contributed evidence to the map.
Enquiries: Tshegofatso Modubu on 083 276 0786/ Tshegofatso.Modubu@dpme.gov.za or Mmabatho Ramompi on 076 480 3513/ Mmabatho.Ramompi@dpme.gov.za
Follow us on twitter on @dpmeofficial or visit our website: www.dpme.gov.za
Follow the conversation on #DPMEEvidmap
Issued by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME)
