PURPOSE: To describe how research evidence and non-research-based information are used in testimony and other legislative documents used in arguments for and against physical activity-related bills in Minnesota. DESIGN: Content analysis. SETTING: Documents and oral testimony archived by the Minnesota State Legislature from 2007 to 2011. SUBJECTS: Not applicable. MEASURES: A coding instrument was developed to measure descriptive features of materials (e.g., length, document type) and the presence or absence of certain types of research evidence and non-research-based information. ANALYSIS: Frequencies of variables and measures of associations using Pearson χ (2) tests. RESULTS: Over a third (36%) of the sample contained research evidence, and 88% of the sample contained non-research-based information. Compared to materials related to physical activity, materials related to built environment were significantly less likely to reference research evidence. CONCLUSION: Despite an abundance of evidence, research evidence was present in only about one-third of the sample. There may be opportunities during legislative discussions on the built environment for obesity-related data to help make the case for sound policies.
PURPOSE: To describe how research evidence and non-research-based information are used in testimony and other legislative documents used in arguments for and against physical activity-related bills in Minnesota. DESIGN: Content analysis. SETTING: Documents and oral testimony archived by the Minnesota State Legislature from 2007 to 2011. SUBJECTS: Not applicable. MEASURES: A coding instrument was developed to measure descriptive features of materials (e.g., length, document type) and the presence or absence of certain types of research evidence and non-research-based information. ANALYSIS: Frequencies of variables and measures of associations using Pearson χ (2) tests. RESULTS: Over a third (36%) of the sample contained research evidence, and 88% of the sample contained non-research-based information. Compared to materials related to physical activity, materials related to built environment were significantly less likely to reference research evidence. CONCLUSION: Despite an abundance of evidence, research evidence was present in only about one-third of the sample. There may be opportunities during legislative discussions on the built environment for obesity-related data to help make the case for sound policies.
Authors: John N Lavis; Suzanne E Ross; Jeremiah E Hurley; Joanne M Hohenadel; Gregory L Stoddart; Christel A Woodward; Julia Abelson Journal: Milbank Q Date: 2002 Impact factor: 4.911
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