ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we examine the role of evaluative information in providing evidence when dealing with complex policy problems where “truth” is often contested. We argue that the incrementalism often practiced by policy officials offers an effective route toward creeping enlightenment. This is particularly the case when supported by a shared approach to the generation, dissemination, and use of evaluative information by evaluators, policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. We look at two policy areas in Ireland where approaches to the use of evaluative information are being developed focused more on incrementalism and creeping enlightenment: youth justice, in particular the world of organized crime networks, and water governance, where an experimental governance approach is being taken to address improving water quality. We identify important lessons around how to bring together the craft knowledge held by practitioners and policymakers, the experiential knowledge of stakeholders, and the evidential knowledge of evaluators to best effect.
