‘What works’? Systematic reviews in international development
research and policy Although well established in the natural
sciences, systematic reviews are relatively new to the world of
international development research. But they are being
increasingly promoted by the likes of the UK Department for
International Development (DFID) and AusAID as an important step
in strengthening evidence-informed policy-making amongst aid
agencies. Recently described by The Guardian’s Ben Goldacre as
the ‘cleanest form of research summary’, systematic reviews
involve synthesising and assessing all available evidence in
order to answer tightly focused research questions, usually on
the outcomes or impacts of specific programmes. If done well,
they are considered to be ‘the most reliable and comprehensive
statement about what works’ in terms of programme effectiveness.
This is particularly important given the current demand for
donor governments to demonstrate value for money in an economic
climate defined largely by austerit