A framework to characterize the balance between risk science quality and usefulness

In recent years, there has been momentum toward defining the quality of evidence and the overall quality of risk studies, leading to considerable advances in understanding due diligence for risk science applications. There is also increasing recognition that risk studies may not always meet the criteria of a high-quality risk study but still be useful. However, there remain questions about concurrent goals of both quality and usefulness. In this paper, we introduce several considerations for evaluating quality and usefulness. We consider planning horizon, uncertainties, knowledge, and practical use as the main considerations. We then develop a framework to consider the question: What are the primary considerations for risk analysis and management quality in these various settings? This paper will be of interest to risk analysts, policymakers, and private industry in their work to improve the use of risk science in a scalable and efficient manner.