We develop and assess methods for generating, synthesizing, and translating evidence to improve policy and practice.
2026 Summer Workshop applications now open
Understanding Generalizability in Randomized Controlled Trials
Exploring how findings from education, psychology, health, and policy trials translate to real-world settings.
The STEPP Center was founded in 2019 to facilitate collaboration between statisticians, researchers, policymakers and practitioners using evidence to guide decisions, with a focus on education and the applied social sciences.
The STatistics for Evidence-Based Policy and Practice (STEPP) is based at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University and evolved from the IPR’s Q-Center. This expansion was made possible by the 2018 Yidan Prize for Education Research awarded to Larry Hedges.
Research Areas
Statistical methods propel the quality of results provided in evaluations, as well as the questions posed and the relevance of science to practice. Our center seeks to serve the practitioner and policymaker communities through the development and promotion of state of the art methods for researchers.
Generating strong evidence regarding innovations and practices through randomized trials and other strong research designs.
Does a program or intervention result in improved outcomes?
Synthesizing and interpreting the results of multiple studies.
How do we make sense of competing results from multiple sources about an intervention of policy?
Translating findings into meaningful and useful mechanisms to inform the evolution of policy and practice.
What is the best approach to convey evidence to a diverse audience of consumers?
We provide tutorial papers, online tools, seminars and short courses that train students and practitioners, and professional development institutes for established researchers.
We provide tutorial papers, online tools, seminars and short courses that train students and practitioners, and professional development institutes for established researchers.
Check out upcoming events at the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and stay up to date with the STEPP Center's news and announcements.