Balanced Information: The Pickering Airport Experiment

A frequent problem in the evaluation of public policy alternatives is how to provide balance in developing information so that both pro and con positions are adequately represented. The statistical approach is examined. Statistical measurements are used for defining objectives and making checks, to encourage teams of experts to balance their efforts on both sides of an issue. An adaptation of the experimental design approach of Warner (1975) was applied to Canada's Pickering Airport question. This approach is based on the use of a test population to measure the influence of pro and con cases produced by competing research teams. It is stressed that great care should be taken in selecting the research teams in future studies of this type. Control of balance is also important, more so than extensive resources. Much organizing effort is required to achieve balance. The experimental design approach may be of particular value for cases in which a need for balanced information exists and resources are limited.