X-Message-Number: 29718
References: <>
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Using Research to Persuade Policy
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:24:44 +0200

Here is something that demonstrates how vital social research is in  
achieving any policy objective.

dss


Begin forwarded message:

> Ms. Faye Wattleton (Center for the Advancement of Women).
> Using Research to Persuade Policy: A Personal Account from 30 Years  
> of Fighting for Women's Rights
> Faye Wattleton, former president of Planned Parenthood and co- 
> founder of the Center for the Advancement of Women, discusses her  
> experiences using data to advance causes of women's and civil  
> rights. She describes the use of data and research as an essential  
> element of social change. For example, presentation of data was a  
> key element in determining the illegality of banning abortion in  
> Roe v. Wade. Wattleton also describes experiences when poor  
> understanding and use of data was detrimental, as when President  
> Reagan anti-abortion mandate attached to federal foreign-aid  
> packages. Additionally, Wattleton cautions that data should be  
> interpreted objectively and analytically. When misunderstood, data  
> can become a propagandist tool. Among other results, Wattleton  
> suggests that this is one reason for the increasing influence of  
> religious dogma in political issues, such as women's rights for  
> abortion, which require a truly objective perspective.

<http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/ 
lap&CISOPTR=34&CISOBOX=1>


David Stodolsky    Skype: davidstodolsky

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=29718