| Title: |
Filtering Evidence: Politics, Communication, and Resource Pressures in Policy Contexts |
| Authors: |
McElwee, Tracey Barnett; Danforth, Laura; Bailey, Christine; El, Myton; Lancaster, Ambria; Moore, Kya; Nowell, Sophie; Russell, Brooklyn; Smith, Kasey; Teague, Cara; Wallace, Alexandra; Wright, LaDejhia; Wright, Olivia; Ziemski, Missy |
| Source: |
Journal of Social Work and Social Welfare Policy ; volume 3, issue 2 |
| Publisher Information: |
Gexinonline Publications |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Description: |
Policymakers and administrators frequently encounter structural barriers such as rigid policies, poor interagency coordination, and fragmented services that limit their ability to respond effectively. This study adapted the well-established Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) method to examine how communities, policymakers, and practitioners utilize, resist, or reinterpret research evidence within social welfare policymaking. Through the collaborative efforts of 12 social work graduate students and faculty, the team applied constant comparative analysis and triangulation to identify three overarching themes: (1) Evidence Is Filtered Through Politics, Power, and Context, (2) Intermediaries and Trusted Brokers Are Key, and (3) Evidence Must Compete with Funding and Resource Pressures. These themes reveal that while evidence can influence policymakers, several barriers often limit its impact such as deeply held political beliefs, budget limitations, and lack of engagement from government agencies. Despite these obstacles, participants highlighted that evidence becomes more relevant when it is communicated strategically, shared within strong relationships, and aligned with the needs of local citizens. Servings as connectors between data, policy, and practice, Social workers can play a vital role by promoting evidence-based policies, and cultivating partnerships between municipal governments to strengthen public services. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.33790/jswwp1100163 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.33790/jswwp1100163 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.7E0CF033 |
| Database: |
BASE |