A Model to Foster Records Use in Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Neither Restricted by Time nor Space

Abstract

The study is derived from a doctoral dissertation by Momoti that triangulated the Continuum of Evidence Use and the Records Continuum Models to determine the extent to which records as sources of evidence were used for evidence-based decision-making by senior managers in Western Cape governmental bodies in South Africa. The investigation was descriptive, cross-sectional, and used a mixed-mode survey design. The mixed-mode survey addressed low response challenges encountered during data collection. Data was collected from a stratified random sample of 163 senior managers from 31 Western Cape governmental bodies. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to ensure that an accurate description of the findings was achieved. The study revealed that knowledge of evidence sources is crucial for their use. Senior managers acknowledged the importance of using records for evidence-based decision-making and always used them as sources of evidence to decide on service delivery programmes. The study revealed 83 such service delivery improvement programmes. The study proposed a model to foster the use of records as sources of evidence in decision-making.