[upbeat jazz music plays. . .]
Welcome to Part 1 of “Using CLEAR to inform decision making.”
This video is the first in a two-part video series.
Part 1 provides an overview of what CLEAR is and the different resources it offers.
Part 2 presents two use case examples
of how CLEAR can be used to help make informed, evidence-based decisions.
The Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research, or CLEAR,
is a centralized source of research and information on labor-related topics,
designed to make labor research more accessible
to audiences both inside and outside of the Department of Labor.
CLEAR makes labor research more accessible through its searchable database,
individual study summary profiles, and evidence synthesis reports.
Research and evaluations on labor programs and policies
can help practitioners and policy makers make better decisions.
But there are many studies, published in different sources, and they vary in quality.
These barriers can make it difficult to find research when it’s needed,
differentiate between studies,
and quickly understand and apply findings in different practical settings.
With over 1,300 studies— and counting— CLEAR is a central source of research
and information on a wide range of labor topics.
By conducting independent evidence reviews, CLEAR identifies, reviews,
and summarizes many types of research;
but prioritizes causal impact studies that help us find answers to ‘what works?’ questions.
CLEAR’s goal is to make credible labor-related research more accessible
by highlighting key findings,
and providing information about where and how the interventions were tested.
CLEAR summarizes labor research in several ways.
CLEAR’s profiles make studies accessible
by providing information about each study’s purpose, context, and findings.
Profiles are short summaries that you can use to help understand what the evidence says
so you can decide whether it’s relevant for your needs.
If you want to learn more, study profiles also link back to the original reports or papers.
Synthesis reports provide a short, high-level overview
of the evidence base in a given topic area.
Synthesis reports generally include key takeaways, an overview of findings,
and gaps where additional research is needed.
CLEAR’s searchable database contains all study profiles
and syntheses housed on the website.
You can use the database to search for studies, and refine your search by keywords,
outcomes or populations of interest, evidence rating, and more.
CLEAR can also help you develop higher quality studies
by examining or following the standards
CLEAR’s independent contractors use when reviewing studies.
These standards include guidelines for reviews of different study types,
descriptions of the criteria used to determine a study’s strength of causal evidence,
and summaries of review procedures.
They also describe how CLEAR selects research topics, identifies studies,
and conducts other operations.
These reference documents are publicly available
and help ensure CLEAR’s evidence reviews are independent, rigorous, and transparent.
This concludes the brief introduction to CLEAR,
This concludes the brief introduction to CLEAR, Part 1 of “Using CLEAR to inform decision making.”
We hope you found it useful and informative!
Part 2 of this video series
shows how CLEAR can be used to help make informed, evidence-based decisions.
To view Part 2, visit the Resources page of the CLEAR website.