From research to policy

“Evidence” is in demand, and social science statistics have a growing influence on government decision-making. Many researchers working with the national-level micro-data in the RDCs are "producing evidence" about key social, economic and health questions.

Policy briefs are one way to communicate this evidence to the policy world. See the International Policy Fellowships overview for some useful guidelines.

Policy journals, with their broad readership, can be a useful outlet for policy-relevant research findings - an ideal option for publishing research report results. Their different focus and format can make them an interesting addition, not necessarily an alternative, to a scientific journal article.

N.B. Check out the journal's specific style, approach and readership before writing up.

Canadian Public Policy

An interdisciplinary journal, published quarterly, that aims to stimulate research and discussion of economic and social public policy problems in Canada among its wide readership (business, government, private institutions and universities).

Articles (under 7000 words) may be submitted in English or French. They should be policy-relevant, of a high intellectual standard and comprehensible to readers outside the author's own discipline. More...

Health Reports

Statistics Canada's peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research. An excellent outlet for health researchers who wish to reach a broad audience (health professionals, researchers, policymakers).

Articles (maximum 3,500) accepted for publication are translated into the "other" official language, published electronically each month, appear in print form quarterly and are indexed in Index Medicus and MEDLINE.

Health Reports contains three types of article: Research Articles, Health Matters, and Methodological Insights. Consult the guidelines for more information, and check out their online publications

Perspectives on Labour and Income

Statistics Canada's flagship publication for labour market and household income issues (trends in family income, pensions and retirement, spending and wealth, education and training and more). Its diverse readership includes policy makers, human resource professionals, consultants, academics and journalists.

Analytic articles (15,000 word maximum) are published monthly online. The quarterly print edition also provides updates on popular articles and a summary of recent studies of interest from Statistics Canada and other organizations.