End user testing of an open-access database of research syntheses: the Environmental Evidence Database of Research Syntheses

对于任何企业来说，在做出最佳行动方案的决策时，都应该根据现有的最佳证据。英国商业部门被要求将可持续性和环境影响问题纳入其决策，作为向绿色经济过渡的一部分（http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy）。在目前的情况下，由于缺乏共同和可靠的证据基础，无法从中获得决策支持和就最佳做法达成共识，这一点受到了阻碍。在一个竞争激烈的世界里，重要的是，商业决策必须以可靠的证据为基础，其特点是严谨、透明和客观。最重要的是，证据基础必须是综合的，并包括与决策者证据需求相关的问题有关的所有现有的初级研究。在环境管理方面，支持政策决定的证据基础尚处于初级阶段，目前还没有现成的最佳证据的综合。该项目将开发和测试一个开放获取的研究综合（证据综合）数据库。该数据库将列出为评估与环境管理的具体政策问题或实际相关性有关的证据而进行的综合研究。该数据库将根据政府、非政府和私营部门的决策者/最终用户的需要，提供关于综合资料的可靠性和透明度的资料。我们将与一组最终用户合作，通过确定代表其证据需求示例的主题领域，对数据库格式进行试点。然后将确定现有的综合研究，并对其作为现有最佳证据来源的可靠性进行严格评价。基于网络的产品将提交给最终用户群体，征求他们的反馈和修改，为从试点扩展到全功能系统做准备。

For any business, making decisions on the best course of action should be informed by the best available evidence. The UK business sector is asked to integrate issues of sustainability and environmental impact into their decision-making as part of a transition to a greener economy (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy). In current circumstances this is inhibited by the absence of a shared and reliable evidence base from which to draw decision-making support and develop consensus on best practice. In a competitive world it will be important for business decisions to be based on a reliable evidence-base characterized by rigour in assembly , transparency and objectivity. Most importantly the evidence base will need to be synthetic and inclusive of all available primary research related to a question relevant to evidence needs of the decision makers. In environmental management, the evidence base supporting policy decisions is incipient and syntheses of the best available evidence are not readily available. This project will develop and test an open-access database of research syntheses (evidence syntheses). The database will list syntheses conducted to assess evidence on a specific question of policy or practical relevance in environmental management. The database will provide information on the reliability and transparency of the syntheses, tailored to the needs of decision makers/end users in government, non-government and private sectors. We will work with a group of end users and pilot the database format by identifying a subject area that represents an example of their evidence needs. Existing research syntheses will then be identified and critically appraised for their reliability as a source of the best available evidence. The web-based product will be presented to the end-user group for their feedback and modifications made in preparation for expansion from a pilot to a fully functional system.