Gathering Evidence

1. Lobbying for Social Change Dr.Inas A.Hamid Gathering Evidence

2. Information is a very important as an asset to bring to the lobbying task. • The formulation of your case will determine what kinds of data you need. • Remember we have two types of information: • Political information. • Policy information. This part about the latter kind of information.

3. Kinds of Evidence Cases in Point • These are examples of policy in action. • Show how a particular policy impacts real people's lives. • Stories about individuals are among the most powerful kinds of evidence in the worlds of politics. We are by nature curious about people, and our minds find it easiest to place events in actual locations. • This is not to say that statistics have no places, but without a concrete example or two to bring them to life they tend to be forgotten quickly. • Another way of using real-life examples to get a point across to an audience is to get each person to imagine himself or herself in the situation.

4. Official Documents • When possible check the original source and try to avoid secondary sources for information about official documents. • Because official acts are subject to legal challenge, they are written in exact but difficult language. So to avoid misinterpreting the record, check it out in a number of secondary sources or ask a lawyer.

5. Statistical Data • There is a natural tendency to trust anything with numbers attached to it. • It is easy to distort facts with statistics. • Always be clear about what is being measured, particularly the difference between frequency (total number) and rate (the ratio between actual cases and possible cases). • Note the time period being selected and ask why that particular time. • What is the geographical area being discussed?

6. Testimony, Experts and Otherwise • Testimony; any kind of assertion of fact or opinion, written or spoken. • There are useful basic questions to ask about any testimony and expert: • How much does the person know? • What are his or her biases? • What are their areas of expertise? • How they are viewed by their colleagues?

7. The Quality of EvidenceReducing the risk of error: general rules: • When possible use more than one source of information. If the sources are in disagreement, try to get a third opinion and figure out who is more likely to be correct. • Test source credibility. Is the source knowledgeable? Is the source free from bias? • Is the information original or secondhand? If the latter, get as close to the original source as possible. • How current is the information? • When a comparison is made, is the comparison relevant?

8. Internet as a source of information • Internet is of course a marvelous source of all kinds of solid information. • The problem is that it's hard to tell how trust-worthy a particular bit of information is. • The sources range from official documents and respected institutions to often anonymous opinions floated right along with the good stuff. Also the data may have no date, so you won't know how current it is. Whatever you pick up off the net, unless it's fully documented and dated, check it out with other sources.

9. Credibility of different sources • You must weight carefully how credible any source of information is. Some sources describes as more credible than others; • Own experience or direct observation. • Official documents. • Articles in peer-reviewed journals (based on scientific research). • Scholarly books. • Public meetings. These can be extremely valuable and variable as to accuracy of what you are exposed to.