Policymakers Dependence on Evidence in Education Decision Making in Oyo State Ministry of Education

This study investigated policymaker dependence on evidence in education decision making in Oyo State Ministry of Education. The study was conducted under a descriptive survey design, 44 out of the 290 policymakers of the Ministry and Board of Education across the State were purposively selected for the study. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages and inferential statistics of Chi-Square were used to analyze the data. The four research questions which guided the study were answered. Findings revealed that policymakers depend on research evidence in making education decisions. Furthermore, the study also revealed that research-related factors, researcher-related factors, channel-related factors and policymakers-related factors are all determinants to the use of evidence in education decision making. Finally, the study found that policymakers are encumbered to use evidence in decision making as a result of: nature of research, researcher- related, medium- related and policymaker-related factors. Based on the findings, the study thus recommended that opportunities should be made available to practitioners and researchers to collaborate, disseminate findings, co-construct ideas, and set research agendas. Finally, that positive attitude towards commissioning and funding of policy-related research should be given top priority. Keywords: policymakers, research evidence, researcher and evidence-base