Evaluation involves determining whether a measure has produced the expected outcomes in relation to its objectives. A fundamental question in evaluation is to determine causal impact – that is, to what extent the observed effect of a public policy is actually attributable to that policy.
The term ‘scientific evaluation’ is used when an evaluation is carried out by researchers, using the most recent research methods and findings, and following a scientific protocol focused on the transparency of the methods and data employed.
Beyond the evaluation of public policies in the strict sense of the term, the IPP is developing expertise in the matching and analysis of very large databases, and the analysis of public policies (I’m not sure how to put it here—we carry out testing, measure discrimination, etc.)
The (very) high level of expertise in mathematics and economics demonstrated by the IPP’s researchers is complemented by an in-depth knowledge of legislation and its evolution over time. Since its creation, the IPP has set itself the task of compiling all public policy legislation in France from a historical and scientific perspective by maintaining legislative databases.
Every year since 2019, IPP researchers have presented their analysis of the major budgetary issues for the coming year, with the aim of informing parliamentary debates during the scrutiny of the draft Finance Bill.