Supporting Data-Driven Decision Making at the U.S. Department of State - A State Evidence and Learning (SEAL) Partnership

Project Summary

To support the implementation of the US Government’s Evidence Act, and in line with the U.S. State Department’s “learning agenda” and their State Evidence and Learning (SEAL) partnership, RIPIL has established a research partnership with the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO). Working closely with Gray Barrett, the related research project aims to help the Department of State learn how it can use data more effectively in foreign policy decision-making. The research entails: 1) exploratory semi-structured interviews with key personnel across the Department to understand the range of data and evidence available as well as the range of its potential use and impact; and 2) based on the exploratory interviews, the design and fielding of a survey (including an experimental treatment to address potential social desirability bias) to examine variation in evidence use across the Department and its perceived effect on foreign policy outcomes.

Principle Investigator(s)

• Susanna Campbell, American University

• Joseph Young, University of Kentucky

Partners

• U.S. Department of State

Project Status

Active