Why do you think it is important that we use research to determine and implement policies and practices? What could be the consequences of not using research in policy and practice decisions? Provide an example of a policy or practice that is not based on evidence and how it affects the community/individual/specific group.
REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S DISCUSSION TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE. (MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS FOR EACH POST)
CLASSMATE’S POST
The government relies heavily on research, particularly when it comes to establishing policy. In our economic system, it serves as the cornerstone for nearly all government initiatives. For example, governments’ budgets are based in part on an assessment of the needs of citizens and the availability of funds to meet those needs. Research is especially essential in this field since the costs of necessities must be compared to the earnings that might be generated. Using thorough research, we can simply come up with various policies and examine their consequences.
When research is not used in policy implementation the policies put in place end up being beneficial to a certain group of people while hurting others. Government policies should be neutral across the board and affect people similarly. For instance Energy and Environmental Policy, affects the poor negatively compared to the rich (Bakst, 2017). In 2011, the National Energy Assistance Survey found that 24% of low-income households went without meals for a day and 37% forewent medical and dental treatment to pay higher energy costs. Nearly one in five had a sick family member owing to the cold. N.E.A.D.A., “2011 National Energy Assistance Survey Summary Report,” October 2011, neada.org (accessed February 6, 2017). According to the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, households earning less than $30,000 spend 23% of their budget on energy, while those earning more than $50,000 spend only 7%.
Reference
Bakst, D. & Tyrrell, P. (2017, April 5). Big government policies that hurt the poor and how to address them. The Heritage Foundation. https://www.heritage.org/poverty-and-inequality/report/big-government-policies-hurt-the-poor-and-how-address-them
