Campbell Collaboration

Campbell Collaboration is an international research network that produces systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions. Founded in 2000, the organization aims to improve evidence-based decision-making by providing high-quality, accessible, and policy-relevant synthesis of research in the fields of education, crime and justice, social welfare, and international development. The Campbell Collaboration is named after the American psychologist Donald T. Campbell, known for his work on experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research.

History

The Campbell Collaboration was established in the spirit of promoting positive social and economic change through the use of systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. It was inspired by the success of the Cochrane Collaboration, which focuses on health care. The founders of the Campbell Collaboration recognized the need for a similar evidence-based approach in other areas of public policy.

Mission and Goals

The primary mission of the Campbell Collaboration is to enhance the quality and availability of social science and public policy evidence to policymakers, practitioners, and the public. The organization aims to:

• Produce and disseminate systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effects of interventions and policies.
• Develop methods and standards for conducting high-quality systematic reviews.
• Advocate for the use of evidence in policy-making and practice.

Activities

The Campbell Collaboration conducts a range of activities to fulfill its mission, including:

• Publishing systematic reviews in its online library.
• Providing training and support for researchers conducting systematic reviews.
• Organizing conferences and workshops to share knowledge and best practices in evidence synthesis.
• Collaborating with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote the use of evidence in decision-making.

Systematic Reviews

Systematic reviews by the Campbell Collaboration follow a rigorous methodology to ensure the reliability and relevance of the findings. These reviews typically involve:

• Comprehensive searches of the literature to identify all relevant studies.
• Critical appraisal of the quality of the studies.
• Synthesis of the findings from the included studies, often using meta-analysis.
• Presentation of the evidence in a structured and accessible format.

Impact

The work of the Campbell Collaboration has had a significant impact on public policy and practice in various fields. By providing reliable evidence on what works, the organization helps to inform decisions that can improve outcomes in education, criminal justice, social welfare, and more.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its achievements, the Campbell Collaboration faces challenges such as the need for more resources to produce reviews, the difficulty of keeping reviews up to date, and the challenge of ensuring that evidence is used in policy-making. Additionally, some critics argue that the focus on quantitative evidence may overlook important qualitative insights.

See Also

• Evidence-based policy
• Systematic review
• Meta-analysis
• Donald T. Campbell
• Cochrane Collaboration

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