Author: Koichiro Ito, University of Chicago

Lately, people have begun to point to the importance of evidence-based policymaking. The idea is that evidence-based discussion, supported by scientifically rigorous data analysis, should inform governments in their decisions in formulating and changing policies. The concept of evidence-based policy (EBP), initiated in the United States and the United Kingdom, has spread to other countries. In recent years, Japanese government ministries and agencies have been increasingly showing interest.

In order to accelerate the move toward evidence-based policymaking, government policymakers, as the users of evidence, need to have the ability to understand data analysis results accurately as well as detecting false results so as not to be deceived. However, a recent survey has found that such understanding is far from being widespread.

In this article, I would like to consider what is the “power of data analysis” that is essential to evidence-based policymaking, partly drawing on my recent book (Ito 2017).

Read the entire article on the RIETI website.