Janet Bowstead, one of our #DataImpactFellows for 2019, explores how fast and slow thinking could make a difference in creating impact.
‘Impact’ is about trying to make a difference: to generate and use evidence to drive changes in understanding, practice and policy.
But what really drives change?
Organisations are commonly encouraged switzerland rcs data to develop a ‘theory of change’ for their work; or to gain funding for a particular project. It is often a difficult process – and sometimes the process can be more useful than any particular output – as individuals and teams try to make clear and explicit previously unexamined assumptions and deeply-held beliefs and principles.
Data and evidence have a role in this:
What do we know about the current situation?
How will we measure what we do and what it achieves?
But there is also a role for professional judgement, and different types of knowledge, in tackling complex social issues.
Social issues are multi-faceted, requiring multiple methods of research to conceptualise them, to understand patterns and processes, and to devise appropriate responses.