Time poor, knowledge rich: how to access to relevant evidence in a crisis

Caroline Larsson (Author) (2023) Time poor, knowledge rich: how to access to relevant evidence in a crisis International Public Policy Observatory

Record type: Website

Abstract

The pandemic prompted a significant shift in the research landscape, with many scholars redirecting their attention towards investigating topics related to COVID-19.

Consequently, a staggering volume of records emerged, including both formal papers and pre-prints (papers yet to have gone through a peer-review process) appearing in journals, databases, and on websites. For those working in government and the public sector looking for the most up to date scientific advice to inform specific and urgent policy questions, it was therefore not a straightforward task to sift through the growing mountain of evidence.

This information also needed to be timely enough to be of use to officials making decisions in real-time.

One way to capture such a flood of research is to gather and organise information using evidence synthesis methods, such as an evidence map. During the pandemic, I worked at the EPPI Centre developing their Living Map of systematic reviews of social research focused on COVID-19, as part of the IPPO partnership.

In this blog, I will look at the origins of evidence maps, and the production, limitations and successes of this Living Map.

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