Evidence-Based Psychology: Scientific Knowledge in Decision-Making

The objective of this study is to reflect on the importance of scientific knowledge in decisionmaking both in business and in the definition of public policies for the field of Psychology. Scientific knowledge clarifies and supports decision-making; society is the great beneficiary of its results. Science has its own discourse and scientists write to their own peers. Science focused solely on scientists is no longer accepted by society, provoking the need to make scientific results more accessible from a language standpoint. The creators of scientific knowledge are responsible for taking science to business and public policy makers, allowing the exercise of an evidence-based practice. One of the strategies for such a concourse is the revision of published material available in systematic or integrative review research. The utilization of research results is one of the pillars of Evidence-Based Psychology and psychologists need to learn how to access, evaluate, interpret and integrate this evidence into clinical data and patient preferences into decision-making. Public policy makers also need to make use of solid evidence as part of the definition of public policies.