Some Credible Evidence: Perceptions about the Evidence Base in the Peacebuilding Field

 
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Authors: Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik, Shaziya DeYoung, Sarah Heyborne, Conor Seyle,

Publisher: Alliance for Peacebuilding & One Earth Future

Publication date: May 2021

Abstract: This report presents the result of a survey conducted by One Earth Future and Alliance for Peacebuilding asking peacebuilders and researchers about their perception of what kind of evidence exists and what kind is needed to improve work in the peacebuilding field.

The discussion around “evidence based practice” in peacebuilding has included debates over what kinds of information counts as evidence, what kinds of methods are appropriate for generating this information, and what kinds of evidence are needed to support effective peacebuilding. These debates may create the impression that the field as a whole doesn’t have a strong shared understanding of what kind of evidence exists or what matters. This survey represents an attempt to determine if the field has a shared understanding of what kind of evidence is needed and where that evidence exists.

Contents:

Executive Summary  01

1        Introduction  03

  • Evolution of Evidence-Based Practice  03

  • Learning Versus Accountability  04

  • The Gap Between Research and Practice  04

  • Epistemologies, Rigor, and Methods  04

  • Evidence-based Practice in Peacebuilding  05

2        The Survey  08

3        Findings  09

  • Overall Orientation to “Evidence-based Practice” 09

  • What Counts as Evidence?  11

  • Phases of Conflict  11

  • Conditions for Peace 12

  • Interventions for Peace 13

4        Analysis and Conclusions 17

  • Recommendations   18

  • Conclusion  22

 5        Technical Appendix 23

About the Authors:

Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik is the Senior Director - Learning & Evaluation at the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Shaziya Deyoung is the Senior Research Associate - Learning & evaluation at the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Conor Seyle is the Strategic Technical Specialist at One Earth Future.

Sarah Heyborne is formerly of One Earth Future.

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