The crisis of evidence use

Abstract

Despite substantial investments in social sector research and evaluation, a significant gap persists between the generation of evidence and its application in decision-making. Empirical data indicates that over three-quarters of foundation executives struggle to derive meaningful insights from evaluations, and even rigorous study designs, such as randomized controlled trials, frequently fail to influence grantmaking or strategy. This underutilization is mirrored in global policy institutions, where a substantial portion of research remains unread, and in civil services where structural barriers—including time constraints and a lack of professional incentives—prevent evidence consultation. Frontline practitioners in fields such as education and medicine similarly exhibit a tendency to overlook research, particularly when it contradicts existing methodologies or is presented through passive dissemination channels. The resulting disconnect suggests that a vast amount of intellectual and financial capital is expended on knowledge production that achieves negligible social impact. Addressing this crisis requires a fundamental shift toward integrating decision-making needs into the research design process and overcoming the systemic hurdles that currently prioritize expediency over evidence-based action. – AI-generated abstract.