Frequently Asked Questions
How are the materials in the Resource Center selected?
The Better Evidence Project’s goal is to help scholarly research and application become complementary and integrated. We envision a fluid process—where evidence drives implementation and the application of new theories and innovative programs form the basis of new evidence. The Better Evidence Project, therefore, seeks to make available resources that provide evidence, insights, analysis, experience, and in-depth research about what has worked and not worked in efforts to end wars, prevent violence, and build sustainable peace. Our sources are chosen and curated in the following ways:
- Each member of our Research Team seeks to find resources about specific themes and cases assigned to her/him. That may be done via searching bibliographies as well as important articles, reports, monographs, documents or books. Researchers also connect with scholars and practitioners around the world seeking suggestions for resources. There is a concerted effort to draw from peacebuilders and peacebuilding organizations in conflict-affected communities.
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The materials will in most cases by drawn from: Peer-reviewed scholarship; resources produced, sponsored or published by respected organizations (both local and international); government documents (white papers, policy briefs, impact assessments); projects supported by respected donors (evaluations, project reports); data bases; local accounts of peacebuilding initiatives and projects; and footnotes and other materials referenced in the above documents.
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Better Evidence Project senior staff work to bridge theory and practice, and practitioners with each other. The staff is constantly seeking new resources and probing with practitioners the types of evidence and knowledge they are seeking in order to strengthen their work in addressing conflict and making peace.
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The Better Evidence Project works with partner organizations in order to link to, promote and ultimately store new materials that provide evidence of what works and what does not in the broader war prevention and peacemaking fields.
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The Better Evidence Project also develops and houses special collections of materials or data not available elsewhere that are developed by partner organizations or affiliated scholars.
What makes the BEP search engine unique?
- The BEP Resource Library uses pre-trained Artificial Intelligence to scan and “learn” the files, databases, and documents that have been curated by the BEP research team.
- The search function enables users to ask questions so that the answers will be insights derived from the combined “knowledge” of the accessible and stored files, databases, and documents. At the same time, users will be directed to appropriate resources.
- The search engine also references the files, databases, and documents where it learned the answer. Visitors can then review and make use of those references as needed.
- This allows for large audiences of users to access more relevant resources and quickly gain valuable insights into the resources much more efficiently.
If I cannot find what I am looking for, how can I get more help from the BEP staff?
If you cannot find the resources you are looking for or you want assistance in learning what other types of resources might be available, the Better Evidence Project Research Team may be able to help if you make a request at this link here.
Can I send to the Better Evidence Project documents, articles or papers for consideration to be included in the Resource Center?
Yes. Our Resource Center is constantly growing as we add more and more curated resources to our repository. Please send us any documents or sources that would fit our criteria for selection (see above). Additionally, we encourage any organization that wishes to add materials to our Resource Center to contact us Here about becoming a partner organization so that we can promote relevant materials and provide you with tracking data regarding materials that are downloaded.
How often are new resources added to the BEP site?
We are constantly seeking new materials to add to the Resource Center. Our goal is to make new materials available on a weekly basis. We also promote and publicize such resources when the scope and depth of specific issue areas, themes or cases are strengthened and when we put together a special collection of tailored resources that are useful evidence for ending war, preventing violence and building sustainable peace.
Get Involved
Presenting Useful Evidence to Inform Peacemaking Practice
BEP invites partners to join us in harnessing useful research to prevent and end war. Submit your research or suggest other materials for peer review for our Resource Library. Join our pool of reviewers who help discern sound evidence to add to the Resource Library. Help us help peacemakers to be more effective.