 Framing with facts: How frames shape evidence use in Switzerland’s pesticide policy discourseUeli Reber and Karin Ingold No qtuek_v1, SocArXiv from Center for Open Science Abstract: How evidence is used to frame policy issues plays a crucial role in shaping which knowledge is deemed relevant to policymaking. Drawing on argumentation theory and framing literature, we argue that evidence functions as a tool that speakers use strategically and systematically to support specific elements of frames (regarding causes, consequences, or solutions), thereby determining which bodies of knowledge are mobilised in political discourse. Using quantitative content analysis of media, trade, and parliamentary discourse in Switzerland from 2013 to 2022, we identified four frames relating to the issue of pesticide risk reduction: health, environment, economy, and practice. We found that across all frames, the most emphasised frame element is also the one most likely to be supported by evidence. Overall, consequence claims were more likely to be backed by evidence than claims about causes or policy solutions. These patterns reveal which bodies of knowledge are mobilised in political discourse in support of certain policy stances and where the presented frames lack supporting evidence. Recognising the role of framing in evidence use can thus support more transparent and reflexive policymaking by helping researchers and policymakers to identify unavailable or overlooked knowledge and addressing gaps in both research and policymaking. Date: 2026-04-04 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:osf:socarx:qtuek_v1 Access Statistics for this paper More papers in SocArXiv from Center for Open Science |
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