Making Use of Academic Evidence
These sessions are designed to develop skills in each type of evidence in the Evidence Pie.
By attending this session, you will be developing skills in:
Join us as we introduce academic research - one of the six sections of the Evidence Pie. It introduces practical ways to find and use academic research to inform policy, services, and strategy. Participants will explore where to search for relevant studies and reviews, how to check reliability and identify biases in published work, and how to avoid common pitfalls such as cherry-picking evidence.
A strong focus is placed on critical reading: understanding what a paper does (and does not) claim, what is missing from the evidence base, and how study design, bias, and context affect how far findings can be applied. The session includes short exercises to practise scanning papers, assessing quality, and turning research into clear, usable messages for decision-making.
Learn how to:
- Translate a policy/service question into a simple search strategy (keywords, concepts, and inclusion/exclusion decisions).
- Identify appropriate sources for accessing academic evidence, including databases and websites.
- Spot and avoid cherry-picking by using transparent, repeatable approaches to selecting and summarising evidence.
- Read research critically, distinguishing results, interpretation, limitations, and what is missing from the published evidence.
Target audience
- Managers and practitioners who use evidence to make decisions, write briefings, business cases, or proposals.
- Analysts, researchers, and evaluation staff who want a structured approach to searching and critical appraisal of evidence.
- Anyone who wants to build confidence in reading academic papers!
About the session
This is an online session held on Microsoft Teams. You can join using the link provided - you don’t need a Teams account.
What to expect
The session will last around 2 hours. You’ll be able to listen, take part, and ask questions.
Language
Please let us know if you’d prefer Welsh or English.
Accessibility
Let us know if you need any support or adjustments to take part.
Recording
This session will not be recorded.
📅 Please note: there is a minimum of 6 attendees for each Welsh and/or English session. If we cannot offer the course in your preferred language on the date specified we will contact you to discuss.
You can view, and book onto, one of our sessions below.
These sessions are designed to develop skills in each type of evidence in the Evidence Pie.
By attending this session, you will be developing skills in:
Join us as we introduce academic research - one of the six sections of the Evidence Pie. It introduces practical ways to find and use academic research to inform policy, services, and strategy. Participants will explore where to search for relevant studies and reviews, how to check reliability and identify biases in published work, and how to avoid common pitfalls such as cherry-picking evidence.
A strong focus is placed on critical reading: understanding what a paper does (and does not) claim, what is missing from the evidence base, and how study design, bias, and context affect how far findings can be applied. The session includes short exercises to practise scanning papers, assessing quality, and turning research into clear, usable messages for decision-making.
Learn how to:
- Translate a policy/service question into a simple search strategy (keywords, concepts, and inclusion/exclusion decisions).
- Identify appropriate sources for accessing academic evidence, including databases and websites.
- Spot and avoid cherry-picking by using transparent, repeatable approaches to selecting and summarising evidence.
- Read research critically, distinguishing results, interpretation, limitations, and what is missing from the published evidence.
Target audience
- Managers and practitioners who use evidence to make decisions, write briefings, business cases, or proposals.
- Analysts, researchers, and evaluation staff who want a structured approach to searching and critical appraisal of evidence.
- Anyone who wants to build confidence in reading academic papers!
About the session
This is an online session held on Microsoft Teams. You can join using the link provided - you don’t need a Teams account.
What to expect
The session will last around 2 hours. You’ll be able to listen, take part, and ask questions.
Language
Please let us know if you’d prefer Welsh or English.
Accessibility
Let us know if you need any support or adjustments to take part.
Recording
This session will not be recorded.
📅 Please note: there is a minimum of 6 attendees for each Welsh and/or English session. If we cannot offer the course in your preferred language on the date specified we will contact you to discuss.
You can view, and book onto, one of our sessions below.