Paper: What factors influence evidence use in policy? An updated systematic map

 Abstract  [ REVIEW | Article in Press ]

In 2014, a large systematic map found that relational factors were amongst the most frequently reported facilitators of evidence use in policy. Since then, there has been a growth in evidence-use initiatives and research, many of which have attempted to address relational factors. In this timely updated map, we describe the current state of research about which factors influence evidence use in policy. A search strategy combining ‘evidence’, ‘barriers and facilitators’ and ‘policy/policymakers’ was used to identify studies across 15 electronic databases between 2012 and 2022. Studies were screened for those that include empirical data about evidence use in policy. Data extraction enabled descriptive analyses characterising studies in terms of focus, topic area, setting, and types of factors influencing use. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine studies were included, a 20-fold increase over 10 years. The most commonly reported factors influencing use were the relevance of evidence, and then organisational (resources, skills, personnel and managerial support). A large number of studies reported on evidence-use interventions (n = 877) of which 379 were evaluations. Findings may indicate a shift towards relational and systemic thinking about evidence use. There appears to be a growing recognition of the resourcing, work, time, and workforce required to embed evidence use within and between organisations. With this huge growth in the literature, particularly in new evidence use interventions being tested across policy sectors, continued review and mobilisation is necessary to effectively inform the design and implementation of evidence use interventions and research.

Oliver, K., Malin, J., Akerlof, K.L. et al. What factors influence evidence use in policy? An updated systematic map. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. (2026). 
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-08391-6

Not a citation for Hodges' model, but I am grateful to Prof. Oliver and co-authors for being able to assist with data extraction using EPPI-Reviewer Screening Wizard. The preceding patience and guidance to complete the coding tasks was also invaluable in being transferable. I learned a great deal and it has been perversely reassuring (disheartening!) to see that the path to final publication is also 'circuitous' for academics.^  An additional lesson is building on existing work and publication (Oliver, 2014) to revisit a method and research question. (Updates to follow).

Previously: 'map' : 'systematic' : 'policy'

^A conclusion, much shared I believe: academic publishing is systematically dysfunctional.

The Sciences: Points, lines, angles and perspectives on Domains

In Hodges' model the axes are presented - by convention - as perpendicular. From this it follows that the resulting four domains, or quadrants appear as equivalent in terms of the space they each occupy. There are many posts on the blog that present a 2x2 table. When in template form Hodges' model is also a potential corpus, empty apart from its structure, then there must surely be a gross asymmetry in the SCIENCES domain compared with the others, including the SPIRITUAL. Discuss?

#simplicity #complexity #folktheory #humanities #arts #humanistic #emotion #balance

See also: https://hodges-model.blogspot.com/2026/06/h2cm-domains-symmetry.html

Int. Conference on Improving University Teaching 2025

Redefining Education:

Navigating Sustainability and Innovation in a VUCA World

In a world increasingly subject to volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) the goal of sustainability is aspirational, yet elusive.  A UN report published in 2024 notes that “intensifying, interconnected challenges continue to endanger the realization” of the seventeen sustainable development goals identified by the UN Sustainability Conference twelve years ago in Rio de Janeiro.  This is especially true in education, which the report correctly terms “the bedrock of sustainable development.”   It notes the negative effects of the COVID epidemic, regional conflicts, climate shock, and economic turmoil and paints a picture of a planet struggling to make progress towards them. While the big picture may be less than perfect, there is still much cause for hope, as we strive towards a better future.

Against this backdrop, the International Conference on Improving University Teaching seeks to address the challenge of sustainability, equity, and innovation as they affect higher education. In particular, we are exploring how to prepare students for a “VUCA world” in which they will have to contend with multiple challenges, while at the same time ensuring their wellbeing—and that of all academic staff—in the present. By definition, a future subject to uncertainty and ambiguity will require flexibility and adaptability on the part of students. ..

Continued ...

Previously: IUT, VUCA

Hodges' model: A tool for Curation

CURATION

"Curation helps solve the problems of today and tomorrow. It's the mass sourcing of the expertise needed to navigate and comprehend the saturated, complex markets* of the twenty-first century." p.166.

Bhaskar also lists (and briefly introduces) the principles of curation:

• Saving time
• Freeing cognitive resources
• Sparing us anxiety
• Maximising utility
• Cutting down complexity
• Finding quality
• Overcoming information overload
• Creating contrast 
• Redefining creativity
• Channeling attention
• Providing context
• Beating overproduction (pp.167-168).

*To markets above, I would add disciplines and professions.

By definition an aide-mémoire should save us time. 

The structure of Hodges' model provides a conceptual scaffold, a substrate affording us cognitive economy.

Through selection (self guided discovery) we are assuring data, information gathering, properly supervised this should spare us anxiety.

We are trying to ensure the effective use of our time, and efficiently zero-in on the concepts that are salient.

By reducing complexity, we increase the relevance and value of what is noted, recorded, acted upon. Data, facts, observations that are not redundant can be dismissed.

Contrast is co-confirmed by using innate oppositions, polarities and dichotomies with attention on the other and the middle.

When needed, Hodges' model can explode subject headings, concepts assisting exploration and creativity, potentially assisting at a transdisciplinary level.

Context rationalisation by testing and filtering a situation, helps to focus attention.

Duplication and repetition do not foster sustainable services, but there should always be scope for verification and person-centredness.

"As the eighteenth-century English painter Joshua Reynolds put it, 'Simplicity is an exact medium between too little and too much.' Curation helps ensure that exact medium." p.159. 

Bhaskar. M. (2016) Curation: The power of selection in a world of excess. London: Piatkus.

Book image: Waterstones.

See also: Is Hodges' model a selection machine?

"What's in a (blog) name?"

As regulars here will be aware I've been wondering what Hodges' model might learn from other conceptual frameworks produced around the world. ...

When I first read the following blog title - 'World Health Care Blog'

I thought - 'World Health Care' - now this sounds really interesting.

Unfortunately, upon investigation the world health contextual cupboard was bare.

I looked again at the label.

I looked in the tin.

I'm sorry, but from the top-down this blog proved a disappointment.

It's not that I was expecting a paper on world health care models or frameworks.

Don't get me wrong the business (economic, industry) world of health care is essential (reading) for those who want to stride - not step - from today into the future. Health care has been commodified for ages, for all ages. To be fair the 'subtitle' and 'about' statement makes the focus of the blog very clear. From the bottom-up there is clearly content to satisfy the ardent business-info-addict with posts and contributions from leading players.

Maybe it's me and my digital preoccupation has regressed to hairs; but this title IS imho very misleading. How so? Well from the perspective of world health care business-industry insiders all seems well with the-ir world. Meanwhile, non-'business' visitors like this one, may spend their visit exercising ruined expectations. (If the target audience is specific then somebody had better go sort the stage and the sights: there's still a debate to had.)

'Stuck' (and essentially 'skint') as I am here in Lancashire, UK I can't exactly throw stones. Hodges' model is a small - very tasty - fruit (when ripe!) with four (or five) kernels possessed of global - world health aspirations. We need global conceptual frameworks for health and social care and education.

Browsing the 'World health Care Blog' and searching for 'world health' revealed posts totally unrelated to what many people would consider the real issues surrounding 'world health'. There are posts on global health funding and global health program, India, Mexico, Thailand.

At the time of writing 'World Health Care' is not even listed as a category. Try 'poverty'...?

Perhaps 'world health' is implied in the content, but is this sufficient given the title?

Noting the sponsor perhaps there's a risk of confusing or conflating 'World Health Care - Congress' with 'World Health Care'?

The World Health Care Blog is not listed on the main Corante site, so perhaps this blog is off the beaten track?

All this makes we wonder about Google-SEO ranking and semantic web weighting? [Actually, where does (will) the weight of blog, website, and Web 2.0-3.0 application purposes and titles feature on the semantic web?]

'Corante' may have been the world's first English language newspaper, but *global health care* comprises a multitude of languages that must be given a voice. Especially as many of those languages are threatened species (including Danish).

There - was - an interesting brief video clip by Dr Anil Kumar

I realise of course that many contributors and agencies at the World Health Care Blog and Congress will be greatly involved in major world-wide humanitarian and philanthropic projects. The concern is one of impressions.... Reflecting on the meaning of 'world health' and the inclusion of these term(s) might pay great dividends in terms of publicity, balance, governance, corporate and social responsibility.

So, come on Corante if you - as blog managers - insist on this title, on this stage then pick up the theme of 'World Health Care' holistically - you know you want to.... since after all

Corante = Enactor

'To act (something) out, as on a stage: enacted the part of the parent.' http://www.answers.com/enactor&r=67

Lead the way...

All trademarks acknowledged.