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Research

We develop and assess methods for generating, synthesizing, and translating evidence to improve policy and practice.

Research Areas

Generating Evidence

Does a program or intervention result in improved outcomes?

This is the fundamental question for the generation of evidence. Randomized experiments provide the simplest and most rigorous means to answer to this question, yet real-world constraints may limit the practicality and complicate the implementation, of experiments. The STEPP Center endeavors to facilitate research designed to establish causal relations, by addressing challenges to the process of scientific inference.

Generating Evidence Research

Synthesizing Evidence

How do we make sense of competing results from multiple sources about an intervention or policy?

This is the fundamental question for the synthesis of evidence. The answer depends on the scope and size of the comparison. Meta-analysis provides tools for summarizing the degree of similarity of results across different evidence sources and for exploring why differences may occur. The STEPP Center endeavors to facilitate research extending methods for meta-analysis to answer pressing problems facing research today.

SYNTHESIZING EVIDENCE RESEARCH

Translating Evidence

What is the best approach to convey evidence to a diverse audience of consumers?

This is the fundamental question for the translation of evidence. Evidence should be useful for researchers, but also for policymakers and practitioners, and methods and tools appropriate for one audience may not be optimal for another. The STEPP Center endeavors to facilitate research designed to determine best practices for reporting effects and conveying uncertainty visually, in documents, webtools, and software.

TRANSLATING EVIDENCE RESEARCH

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) During Covid-19

We are creating a clearinghouse of related research and news articles to inform researchers conducting RCTs during the pandemic.