What do MPs think of RCTs?

Our survey of MPs’ attitudes has found unexpected support for using randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to test social policy. It also found tensions over fairness, and a preference for personal stories when talking to the public.

Ipsos MORI conducted a face-to-face survey of MPs for Sense About Science which showed MPs:

- Support the use of controlled trials to design and test social policy

- Expect that the use of trials in policy will increase

- Don’t consider the cost of running policy trials a barrier

- Show some confusion about the purpose of control groups

- Strongly emphasise anecdote and personal experience to justify policies to voters

See the full report with comments, and full results here.