President Obama has signed into law (P.L. 114-140) a measure designed to enhance the use of research in setting government policies.
The law creates an Evidence-Based Policy Commission of researchers, program administrators, and experts to conduct a thorough study of existing infrastructure and statistical protocols. The commission is to consider methods of ensuring that policymakers have the access they need while balancing personal privacy and data integrity interests, and make recommendations on how to best approach the issue of federal data access.
“Statutory restrictions often prevent agencies from sharing data with researchers who may be in a position to help the federal government identify needed solutions,” said a report describing the need for the legislation.
“Without evidence, the federal government is an ineffective fiduciary on behalf of the taxpayer. Unfortunately, in many instances, federal decision-makers do not have access to the data necessary to best inform decisions. In such instances, agencies are unable to show the benefits or impacts of the programs they administer and cannot determine what, if any, unintended consequences are created by programs, or whether programs can be improved.”
