Martyn Hammersley's provocative new text interrogates the complex relationship between research, policymaking and practice, against the background of the evidence-based practice movement. Addressing a series of probing questions, this book reflects on the challenge posed by the idea that social research can directly serve policymaking and practice.</p><p></p><p>Key questions explored include:</p><p>- is scientific research evidence-based?</p><p>- what counts as evidence for evidence-based practice?</p><p>- is social measurement possible, and is it necessary?</p><p>- what are the criteria by which qualitative research should be judged?</p><p></p><p>The book also discusses the case for action research, the nature of systematic reviews, proposals for interpretive reviews, and the process of qualitative synthesis.</p><p></p><p>Highly readable and undeniably relevant, this book is a valuable resource for both academics and professionals involved with research.