Skip to main content
Menu

The use of research evidence in Parliament

Between 2014 and 2017, POST ran a programme of activity to study the use of research evidence within parliamentary debate and scrutiny, including the impact of POST.

Using a mixed method approach, the study investigated how research evidence was conceived and used within the UK Parliament. The project employed surveys, interviews, in-depth case studies and documentary analysis to examine how MPs, Peers, MPs' staff and parliamentary staff define and use research evidence, and to explore the diverse routes through which research evidence is mobilised throughout Parliament.

This work was conducted by the Social Science section, which was established in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council and with the support of University College London.

POST published its report in November 2017.

More evaluations about POST can be seen here.

The Role of Research in UK Parliament (Volume 1)

The annual report highlights some of the work that POST has completed in 2016 and outlines plans for 2017.

Volume Two contains appendices andsupplementary content.

Volume One of the report presents key findings from thetwo-year studyto look at how research is defined and used inside the UK Parliament.