The New Book Best Available Science Empowers Decision-Makers to Clearly Assess Key Scientific and Technical Information

March 4, 2009

Arlington, VA—The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies has published a new book, Best Available Science. It’s the culmination of three decades of insight from experts in the scientific and policy worlds, who have developed a process to enable decision-makers, regardless of their scientific training, to clearly and easily assess the validity and applicability of scientific and technical information. Now decision-makers can use this concept to ask themselves, “How reliable is the information in front of me? What is the level of maturity of the underlying science, and can I make a sound decision based on it?”

The Best Available Science concept isolates scientific issues from others at play in policymaking to arm the user with the ability to make the best decision possible with the best available information. Authored by Dr. A. Alan Moghissi, Betty Love, and Dr. Sorin Straja from the Institute for Regulatory Science and Dr. Dennis McBride and Michael Swetnam from the Potomac Institute, this must-have resource provides decision makers with a simple assessment system to most effectively utilize scientific data.

“Policymakers, judges, government agency staff, lawmakers, scientists, and others must constantly balance scientific, social, economic, political, emotional and other considerations when making a decision. However, they are often ‘on their own’ to determine the validity and applicability of scientific and technical data,” comments Potomac Institute Senior Fellow, A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D. “In this book, we direct readers through how to apply this useful practice in a wide range of contexts. We share historical examples to illustrate the concepts of differentiation between classes of scientific information and the evolution of scientific knowledge.”

“Despite ‘information overload,’ as we move deeper into the 21st Century, the right decision is not always clear or an issue fully understood,” states Michael Swetnam, Chairman and CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. “Best Available Science will quickly become a treasured road map to those who embrace it. Finally, a classification system has been developed and shared to enable anyone to quickly and easily understand the full scope of what they’re considering.”

This book can also be used as a guide for scientists to more clearly communicate with policy makers and help them “speak the same language.” For more information, visit the publications section at: www.potomacinstitute.org.

###

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science, technology, and national security issues facing our society. From these discussions and forums, we develop meaningful policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.