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Whose side are we on and for whom do we write? Notes on issues and challenges facing those researching and evaluating public policy

Warren, J.; Garthwaite, K.

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Authors

J. Warren

K. Garthwaite



Abstract

Becker (1967) poses the question Whose side are we on?, a question which has become an enduring part of discussions within social scientific methodology. This paper explores the key issues in Becker's argument and considers its relevance to researchers today, locating this within a consideration of evaluation-based research and policy. Many of the issues Becker discusses remain relevant, yet what has changed radically is the context within which academics operate. In an era when academics and their research are becoming increasingly commodified, this paper contends that the question of who the academic serves and writes for is increasingly important.

Citation

Warren, J., & Garthwaite, K. (2015). Whose side are we on and for whom do we write? Notes on issues and challenges facing those researching and evaluating public policy. Evidence and Policy, 11(2), 225-237. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426415x14314311257040

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date May 1, 2015
Publication Date May 1, 2015
Deposit Date Mar 14, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Evidence and Policy
Print ISSN 1744-2648
Electronic ISSN 1744-2656
Publisher Policy Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 11
Issue 2
Pages 225-237
DOI https://doi.org/10.1332/174426415x14314311257040

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Copyright Statement
This is a post-peer-review pre-copy edited version of an article published in Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Warren, J. & Garthwaite, K. (2015). Whose side are we on and for whom do we write? Notes on issues and challenges facing those researching and evaluating public policy. Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice 11(2): 225-237 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/174426415X14314311257040




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