Evidence use in parliaments

Parliaments play a crucial role in shaping politics and policy by passing legislation and holding governments accountable.

To perform these functions effectively, members of parliament and parliamentary staff must access and apply reliable evidence. However, using evidence in legislative processes often requires navigating institutional, political, and technical challenges.

This page curates research, practical resources and insights on strengthening the use of evidence in parliaments, drawing from OTT’s work under the Data for Accountability Project (DAP) in Ghana and other initiatives. It offers tools, case studies, and guidance for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to promote more informed and responsive governance.

For more insights into evidence informed policy please visit the On EdLabs knowledge hub.

Strengthening the use of evidence in parliaments

These resources offer lessons on how parliament can become a more evidence-informed institution, capable of using data to shape national debates and guide policy decisions.

Learning brief: Data Use in Parliament – Insights from Ghana Statistical Service on Communicating Data to MPs

Strengthening parliaments for SDG implementation: insights from Ghana

Case study: Institutionalising Evidence Use in Ghana’s Parliament

Parliaments and evidence use: sector developments and new directions

Promoting institutional collaboration in using evidence

Sustained collaboration between Parliament and national statistical systems is crucial for enhancing the quality, accessibility, and utilisation of data in governance. This fosters a culture of evidence-based use through collaborative initiatives, mutual learning, and integrated data processes.

Learning paper: Parliament and GSS: a growing relationship for evidence use in Ghana

Book chapter: Parliament and the National Statistics System in Ghana: A critical relationship for evidence use

Tracking Governance: How Ministerial Data can Shape Policy Insights

Using evidence to navigate politics

In complex political environments, evidence alone is not always enough—it must be strategically positioned and communicated. This theme explores how data and research can be used not just to inform decisions, but to engage with political dynamics, build alliances, and drive change in ways that are both technically sound and politically smart.

Case study: Navigating Electoral Transitions in Ghana: Experience from the DAP project

Think Tanks in the Era of Political Vendetta: Insights from South Korea

Lessons from engaging with political parties across the UK

Think tanks and electoral processes: an opportunity that should not be missed

Insights from practitioners

The following interviews and conversations offer the first hand experience of members of parliament and parliamentary staff in promoting the use of evidence in parliaments.

In conversation with Josephine Watera: embedding evidence use in the Ugandan Parliament

Evidence-use in the Jordanian Parliament: discussions with current parliamentarians

In conversation with Her Excellency Ihsan Barakat: evidence use in the Jordanian Parliament

In conversation with Her Excellency Dina al-Bashir: evidence use in the Jordanian Parliament

In conversation with Dr Mustafa Hamarneh: evidence use in the Jordanian Parliament

Work with us

At OTT we undertake research into the use of evidence in parliaments, design interventions to support the institutionalisation of evidence use in parliaments and design and deliver courses and other training opportunities.

See for example:

- Evidence use in the Parliament of Ghana
- PARIS21: developing training materials for parliaments on data use