In general terms, scientific evidence is the result of studies elaborated according to the best scientific methods used in each area of knowledge with the objective of systematizing and analyzing the information in a documented and replicable way.
The Evidence-Based Platform is specifically focused on evidences of effectiveness, a specific type of evidence produced through impact evaluations. This specific research method aims to measure the relationship between a certain type of intervention and its impacts on a certain indicator, seeking to identify whether and to what extent a possible change in this indicator can be attributed to the program, while also trying to rule out, as far as possible, that this change is due to other factors.
The production of scientific evidence spans through multiple dimensions of the security and justice sector, and goes beyond questions related to effectiveness. For example, it can be generated to discern the causes of a problem, such as the risk factors associated with youth homicides; or the impacts of a problem, such as the social, economic and political costs of these homicides.
Scientific evidence is only one of the existing source of information that should be taken under consideration when making decisions on what policies to implement. Other sources of evidence include: the shared values and concerns of communities and parties affected by the programs; the accumulated practical knowledge (expertise) of professionals in the field; or institutional and organizational capacity.
All this information, if well collected, systematized and analyzed, are indispensable to inform the decision-making process. Our main objective with the Security and Justice Evidence-Based Platform is to ensure that scientific evidence can also have "a seat at the table" within decision-making processes. The Platform is designed to offer ideas, inspire, and provide information on different types of solutions and experiences that should be considered when deciding what to do in our cities and countries. In other words, we seek to provide inputs that increase the capacity of decision-makers to think and imagine solutions adapted to the realities and needs of each country.
The Platform does not promote “cookie cutter", one size fit all approach to policymaking. We are aware of the risks of simply acritically copying foreign models and practices that have been applied elsewhere. We know that socio-economic contexts and institutional capacities are important and vary greatly, such that what worked in one place may not work in another.