Evidence Synthesis & Modelling

Answering critical questions for decision-makers

Direct research questions often require answers in a timely manner; decision-makers can rarely wait for “perfect” answers. Instead, SEBI-Livestock balances a pragmatic approach with academic rigour, combining our evidence base and modelling capabilities to give fit-for-purpose support. We approach this from two angles: building a background evidence base and a set of simple modelling tools to be prepared for future inquiries and reacting rapidly to specific requests to support immediate decisions. In this way, we remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the livestock sector.

Putting evidence at the heart of livestock decisions

Systematic evidence syntheses use standardised methodology to identify and collate findings from multiple sources.  Bringing together information from a range of sources helps inform robust decision-making.  SEBI-Livestock adheres to good evidence synthesis guidelines, ensuring that the evidence we use is inclusive, repeatable, rigorous, accessible, and transparent.  This approach minimises bias, and highlights both the ‘gluts’ and the ‘gaps’ in an evidence base, helping to provide a ‘global vision’ of areas of knowledge. 

Our approach is driven by the specific research question that needs to be answered. We have undertaken time-limited Rapid Reviews, mapped the research landscape in Systematic Maps, and used Systematic Reviews to answer focused questions.  At SEBI-Livestock, we select the most appropriate evidence synthesis approach to address the question or need of the decision-maker.

The evidence base we collate serves multiple purposes.  When working with publicly available data, we aim to make our syntheses accessible to all in the form of collated datasets and interactive dashboards.  We also use these evidence bases to to supply input parameters for our internal modelling and for models developed by external partners. 

Addressing gaps in literature

We recognize that scientific literature has gaps and biases and may be of varying quality or limited scope. The multi-disciplinary teams within SEBI-Livestock, including the research team, the data science team, and the LD4D team, collaborate to plan evidence synthesis work and collate timely, fit-for-purpose evidence.

Through our connections with the global livestock community, we design expert consultations to gather data points. 

• Learn more about the Livestock Data for Decision (LD4D) Network.

SEBI-L also works with advanced informatics groups at the University of Edinburgh to explore how Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence can facilitate and accelerate the curation of evidence to support decision-makers. 

• Learn more about our Data Products and Innovations

Our research processes intentionally include gender-specific search terms and qualitative analysis. We recognize that robust evidence comes from combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights on social norms. Consequently, our models increasingly incorporate sex-disaggregated data to produce gender-aware results. We utilize tools like the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) and its fisheries and aquaculture counterpart (WEFI) to measure empowerment outcomes alongside productivity gains, ensuring that our interventions support equitable development.

• Learn more about SEBI-Livestock Gender Integration and Insights

Modelling

“All models are wrong, but some are useful” (George Box 1976)

SEBI-Livestock listens to decision-makers to understand their questions and challenges. When required, we use models to estimate or extrapolate data. We aim to keep models as simple as possible whilst producing a useful output. Our modelling approaches include:

• Using off-the-shelf models 
• Designing specific calculations and/or models to meet requirements
• Collaborating with other groups who possess specific expertise, such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Cornell University, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Learn more about our Research Partnerships

Our research team

We have a highly agile service-oriented team of researchers covering an array of expertise, ready to act on decision-makers' questions and challenges. Our team’s expertise spans veterinary science, livestock production, gender, environmental impacts, economics, One Health, and food systems. We also pride ourselves on our networks and are confident that if we don’t know the answer, we’ll know who to ask.