Evidence-Based Policy Making: Scientific Current Situation and Improvement Strategies in the NLAI. (English)

Purpose: Policy-making based on research evidence is a management approach that is based on moving from the completely intuitive and unconscious spectrum to the scientific spectrum and considering all organizational capacities. Most of this scientific evidence has been obtained through academic institutions and research centers. Many countries of the world establish many scientific institutions and associations and employ a wide range of researchers to analyze and evaluate the results of academic research to align their decisions and programs with the latest research and scientific findings. Therefore, this research aimed to examine how to link the decisions and policies of the National Library and Archive of Iran (NLAI) with scientific and research evidence, to identify possible obstacles and solutions to overcome them. Method: The current survey was conducted with an analytical approach. The main tool for data collection was a semi-structured interview designed via a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The research community and sample size were purposefully selected from among the employees of NLAI so that they have at least 15 years of work experience and a master's degree or higher. 164 people agreed and answered the questions. To measure validity, the questionnaire was provided to 5 librarians and experts in the field of evidence-based policy and management. To measure the reliability, 35 questionnaires were distributed and collected among the studied population, and then the reliability of the questionnaire was measured using Cronbach's alpha test. Kolmogorov-Smirnov (k-s), univariate t, and Friedman tests were used in the analyses. Findings: The employees believed that the use of data and research findings for decision-making and planning in specialized departments of the organization is necessary (4.25 on a scale of 5). To solve the work problems, they have faced so far, many employees (4 out of 5) have found the need to use scientific data and research evidence can improve their efficiency in performing specialized activities. On the other hand, they believed that scientific and research evidence is used less than average for decisions and planning at the macro-organizational level. Conclusion: NLAI planners and managers who want to avoid failure in decisions and programs should pay more attention to the use of scientific and research evidence. In this way, they can improve their knowledge and awareness of the consequences of uncertainty and risk reduction in the work field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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