The need for evidence-based decisions that take account of both effectiveness and economics is greater now than ever. Using case studies and illustrative examples throughout the authors describe how the activities and outputs of evidence synthesis, systematic review, economic analysis and decision-making interact within and across different spheres of health and social policy and practice. Expanding on the first edition the book now covers approaches to evidence synthesis that combine economics and systematic review methods in the applied fields of social welfare, education and criminal justice, as well as health care. Written by economists and health services researchers closely involved in developing evidence-based policy and practice it showcases current state-of-the-art methodology and will be an invaluable read for all policy-makers and practitioners using evidence to inform decisions, analysts conducting research to support decisions and students discovering the need for evidence-based decisions to incorporate economic perspectives and evidence.

The need for evidence-based decisions that take account of botheffectiveness and economics is greater now than ever. Using casestudies and illustrative examples throughout the authors describehow the activities and outputs of evidence synthesis, systematicreview, economic analysis and decision-making interact within andacross different spheres of health and social policy and practice.Expanding on the first edition the book now covers approaches toevidence synthesis that combine economics and systematic reviewmethods in the applied fields of social welfare, education andcriminal justice, as well as health care. Written by economists andhealth services researchers closely involved in developingevidence-based policy and practice it showcases currentstate-of-the-art methodology and will be an invaluable read for allpolicy-makers and practitioners using evidence to inform decisionsanalysts conducting research to support decisions and studentsdiscovering the need for evidence-based decisions to incorporateeconomic perspectives and evidence.

Preface1. From effectiveness to efficiency? An introduction toevidence-based decisions and economics for health care, socialwelfare, education and criminal justice (Miranda Mugford, IanShemilt, Luke Vale, Kevin Marsh, Cam Donaldson, JacquelineMallender).2. The role of review and synthesis methods in decision models(Kevin Marsh).3. The role of economic perspectives and evidence in systematicreview (Rob Anderson, Ian Shemilt).4. The role of economic evidence in formulation of public policyand practice (Sarah Byford, Barbara Barrett, Richard DubourgJennifer Francis, Jane Sisk).5. Generalisability, transferability, complexity and relevance(Damian G Walker, Yot Teerawattananon, Rob Anderson, GerryRichardson).6. Equity, efficiency and research synthesis (David McDaidFranco Sassi).7.Searching for evidence for cost-effectiveness decisions(Julie Glanville, Suzy Paisley).8. Identifying and reviewing health state utility values forpopulating decision models (John Brazier, Diana PapaioannouAnna Cantrell, Suzy Paisley, Kirsten Herrmann).9. Use of evidence in decision models (Doug Coyle, Karen MLee, Nicola J Cooper).10. Grading economic evidence (Massimo Brunetti, FrancisRuiz, Joanne Lord, Silvia Pregno, Andrew D Oxman).11. Meta-regression models of economics and medical research(TD Stanley).12. From evidence-based economics to economics-based evidence:using systematic review to inform the design of future research(Ed Wilson, Keith Abrams).13. Complex problems or simple solutions? Enhancingevidence-based economics to reflect reality (Chantale LessardStephen Birch).14. Evidence-based decisions and economics: lessons for practice(Luke Vale).15. Evidence-based decisions and economics: an agenda forresearch (Michael Drummond).16. Glossary (Asmaa Abdelhamid, Ian Shemilt).Index.