Education Commons^™

The Role Of Evidence-Based Research In The Decision-Making Process As Perceived By Local Board Of Education Policymakers In West Virginia, Elizabeth Anne Hoylman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This non-experimental, descriptive study explored the perceptions of PK-12 policymakers in West Virginia regarding the sources of information they use in the decision-making process; whether and how evidence-based research is relied upon; whether evidence-based research is considered credible and usable; and what barriers, facilitators, and demographic data may play roles in the decision-making process. Data were collected from a 15-question researcher-created survey administered to nearly 200 county board of education members. Results indicated that while policymakers think evidence-based research is important, they nonetheless use it less than other types of information. Consumers consider research reports too lengthy. Respondents indicated they …