Study title

Interaction between Knowledge and Decision-Making 2017

Dataset ID Number

FSD3189

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3189

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Hellström, Eeva (Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra)
• Ikäheimo, Hannu-Pekka (Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra)

Abstract

This study surveyed the interaction between decision-making and knowledge production in Finland as well as the types of development needs that this interaction had at the time of the survey. The study was especially interested in the development of approaches that would help to solve complex challenges facing Finnish society. The survey was part of Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra's "Tieto päätöksenteossa" project. The target population included decision-makers, public officials, researchers and other actors interested in the interaction between knowledge production and decision-making.

First, the respondents were asked to what extent they thought interaction had been successful between knowledge and decision-making, and what types of information and expertise should be utilised more extensively (e.g. scientific studies, extensive opinion polls, academic expertise). The respondents were also presented with a set of attitudinal statements regarding the current state of knowledge production in Finland (e.g. whether a lack of information made it more difficult to solve many problems facing our society, whether expertise based on research was overrated compared with practical experience, and whether knowledge production possibilities facilitated by digitalisation were utilised sufficiently in Finland). Similar statements were presented pertaining to decision-making (e.g. whether the help of experts was used without bias in decision-making and preparatory work, whether decision-makers were able to estimate the quality of provided information and make correct conclusions based on it, and whether too much trust was placed on the objectivity of information in decision-making). The respondents' experiences of the interaction between decision-making and knowledge production were also charted with a set of adjective pairs on a semantic differential scale (e.g. active - passive, tensioned - constructive, one-sided - negotiating).

It was also enquired whether means of advancing the interaction were developed actively in Finland, and what sort of approaches should be developed to assist finding solutions to complex challenges facing our society. In addition, the respondents were asked who should be an active party in the development of cooperation between knowledge production and decision-making. Finally, the respondents were asked what types of measures had already been taken in their organisation, and what measures they had personally taken, to advance this cooperation.

Background variables included the field of the respondent's organisation and the respondent's role in the information provision and decision-making process.

Keywords

access to information; advice; decision making; information needs; information users; political leaders; right to information; science; science policy; scientific cooperation

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Information society (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Elites and leadership (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Government, political systems and organisations (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Hellström, Eeva (Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra)

Time Period Covered

2017

Collection Dates

2017-05-24 – 2017-06-30

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Decision-makers, government officials, researchers and other actors interested in the interaction between knowledge production and decision-making

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The target population included decision-makers, public officials, knowledge producers, service providers, funders and other stakeholders interested in the interaction between information provision and decision-making. Within the target population, the survey was advertised to persons in leading positions and especially persons working with the development of interaction between knowledge and decision-making. Respondents were free to invite others to respond. The e-questionnaire service Webropol was used to conduct the survey.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

Identifiers, such as descriptions of work tasks, employers and websites, were removed from open-ended responses in variables q1_1, q2_9_1, q4_9_1, q7, q11, q15, q17_8_1, q18. Anonymisations were marked with [square brackets].

Variables q20 and q21 are not included in the data. The variables were removed by the researchers before depositing the dataset at FSD.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Hellström, Eeva (Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra) & Ikäheimo, Hannu-Pekka (Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra): Interaction between Knowledge and Decision-Making 2017 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2018-06-06). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3189

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Hellström, E. & Ikäheimo, H-P (2017). Tieto päätöksenteossa: Kohti dialogiloikkaa. Sitran työpaperi 12.9.2017. https://www.sitra.fi/julkaisut/tieto-paatoksenteossa/ [viitattu 6.6.2018]

Hellström, E. & Ikäheimo, H-P (2017). Tieto päätöksenteossa: Kartoitus tulevaisuuden vuorovaikutustarpeista. Tulosten yhteenveto. 12.9.2017. Julkaistu osoitteessa: www.sitra.fi/tieto-paatoksenteossa [viitattu 6.6.2018]