Information use in public administration and policy decision-making: A research synthesis

Abstract

This article presents a research synthesis of 162 studies focusing on information use for decision-making in public administration, management, and policy. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of work is centered around performance management and policy implementation. Notably, around one third of the reviewed studies adopt a behavioral science perspective. The analysis predominantly includes civil servants and citizens as the subjects, with quantitative studies outnumbering qualitative investigations by more than twofold. We identify three distinct components in understanding information use: the objective features of information architecture; the subjective mechanisms involving cognitive biases (i.e., over-/under-reaction to irrelevant information features) and decision noise (i.e., heterogeneity); and the moderating role of information user typology. Context should also be taken into account. The article explores how these findings relate to current societal challenges and emphasizes the potential of mixed-methods, multisample, and/or multisite research in advancing knowledge in this area.