Chapter 3.7 Research resources to support policy and new research
Authors: Allen C, Davies P, Taylor BH.
Chapter 3.7 describes:
- Some of the key information resources that can be used to find existing research into the effects of interventions relevant to health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM)
- How to access these resources
- How the evidence from this research might be used in decision making.
What is this chapter about?
Research into the effects of interventions relevant to Health EDRM provides an evidence base for those planning new research and for policy makers and practitioners. This helps them to understand the evidence that is available on what works, why, where and for whom; as well as what remains uncertain and is in need of new research. It is important that they know where to find this evidence and how to access it. This chapter describes some sources of high-quality research evidence and how these can be accessed by those designing new research studies, policy makers and practitioners. It also describes the challenges faced by people looking for research evidence. The use of these sources can help researchers, policy makers and practitioners avoid interventions that may cause harm and prevent the repeat of mistakes made in the past.
Case studies presented in the chapter:
- Using an evidence gap map to show the available research for a particular Health EDRM topic.
- Evidence Aid’s special collection of systematic reviews of interventions for the prevention and treatment of moderate to severe acute malnutrition in humanitarian and disaster settings.
- The International Rescue Committee’s use of research synthesis in practice.
What are the key messages of this chapter?
- Evidence derived from evaluation and research of the effects of interventions relevant to Health EDRM can help policy makers and practitioners to understand what works, where, why and for whom, and to avoid interventions which may cause harm.
- There are a growing number of existing quality studies relevant to Health EDRM, but these can be difficult to access or to analyse in their ‘raw’ state.
- Systematic reviews and other forms of evidence synthesis may offer a pathway to turn this high- quality evidence into sound policy and effective interventions.
- Many such reviews are available in free-to-access repositories such as those listed in this chapter.
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