role of research in policy making (in terms of policy research)
TRANSCRIPT
Pabitra Gurung, PhD Student
Presentation for the course NRES-803
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES)
University of Northern Brit ish Columbia
Prince George, BC, CANADA
Role of Research in Policy Making
(in terms of policy research)
Policy Formulation Process
Experience-based Policy Making
Evidence-based Policy Making
Policy Research
Problems: Linking Research to Policy
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Outline
Policy Formulation Process
Stages of Policy Formulation Process
1. Developing the Policy Agenda2. Identifying the Specific Objectives & Policy Options3. Evaluating the Options
4. Advancing Recommendations
5. Building a Consensus
6. Legislation
7. Implementation
8. Policy Evaluation & Impact Assessment
Important stages where research results can be feed into process
the right information,
in the right form,at the right time
Politics and Policy
making
Media,Advocacy,Networking
Research, learning &
thinking
Factors which Influence Policy Formulation Process
Political context
Links Evidence
External
Influence
External
Influence
Campaigning & Lobbying
Policy analysis & research
Scientific information exchange & validation
Local Innovation
System
Immergence in innovation
facilitation and realization
Experience-based Policy Making
Local Policies
National Policies
International
PoliciesProvide interaction with international
policy making
Connecting national policies to local
innovation system
Policy makers access and use
research to inform policy
How evidence-based is policy?
Evidence-based Policy Making
Evidence-based policy
contributes to development
Dem
an
d
Policy makers have incentives
to access and use research
Why use research?
Policy makers have capacity to access and use
research
How evidence-literate are policy makers?
Su
pp
ly
Relevant research is effectively
communicated to policy makers
How well connected are policy makers and
research?
How well is research communicated to policy
makers?
Policy Research
Policy Research is a special type of research that can provide communities and decision-makers with useful recommendations and possible actions for resolving fundamental
problems.Policy Makers
GovernmentUniversities
Policy Organizations
IndividualsPrivate Sectors
Community Organizations
Special Interest Groups
Lobbying GroupsVoluntary Sector
Pragmatic
Action-oriented Recommendatio
ns
Issues
Questions
Problems
Type of Policy Research1. CASE STUDIES
Analyze experiences of organizations or
communities
4. SURVEYSIdentify opinions and concerns of peoples
and community through
questionnaires or polls
6. QUALITATIVE METHODS
Analyze narrative data from focus
groups, interviews, observation
2. FIELD EXPERIMENTS
Analyze gather data and information;
Monitor and evaluate impacts
7. COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Compare cost and benefit of alternative
policy options
3. SECONDARY ANALYSISStatistical
examination of data from the databases
5. REVIEW OF RESEARCH
Based on research findings: articles,
discussions, experiences, memoranda
POLICY RESEARC
H
Major Sources of Information in Policy Research
1. SPECIALIZED POLICY UNIT
Policy & Planning Departments of the
Government
4. ACADEMIC COMMUNITY
Universities/Research Institute
(Source of Knowledge)
6. POLLSPublic opinion on
specific topics
2. OFFICIAL STATISTICS
Data on the economic and political aspects
of society
7. MEDIANewspapers, Radio, Television, Internet
3. THINK TANKSNGOs that engage in the study of public
policy
5. TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGEAccumulated
knowledge passed from generation to
generation
SOURCESOF
INFORMATION
How Policy Research can be used in Policy Making?
- Identify specific issues or problem
- Influence policy making process
Recognizing Problems and
Identifying Issues
- Monitor and evaluate impacts
- Answer questions- Identify areas for
improvement- Refine solutions
Monitoring Process and Evaluating
Impact
- Implement strategies- Gather evidence to support
proposed solutions
Supporting a Selected Plan of
Action
- Identify key policy issues- Identify potential solutions
Understanding Key Issues
RESEARCH FOR THE POLICY MAKING PROCESS
Problems: Linking Research to Policy
Importance & Acknowledgem
ent of Research
Pragmatic & Data
Reliability
Participation of Key
Stakeholders
Information Accessibility
& Interpretatio
n
Simplicity & Translation
Level of Understandin
g
Copy and Paste
Scope and Target
External Influences
Conclusions Research can play a major role in the policy making process,
so that the focus should be on policy research
Policy research will be effective for the sustainable
development national or local level
Participation of different stakeholders and community is
required to address the specific issues and problems
The academic and policy makers should work together for
evidence-based policy making.
Policy brief is essential for policy maker
Concise and readable abstracts or summaries in simpler
language
Therefore, researchers and policy-makers need to cooperate
closely to understand specific needs, ensure relevance of topics,
and improve communication, dissemination and implementation
of the research recommendations.
Discussion Questions
Why research to policy?
What is the role of policy makers and
researchers in the process of policy making?
How can the usefulness of research in policy
making be increased?
How to make applied research policy-
relevant?
What is the evidence in evidence-based
policy making?
ReferencesBach, T.; Niklasson, B.; Painter, M.; 2012. The role of agencies in policy-making. Policy and Society.
31: 183-193.
Dukeshire, S.; Thurlow, J.; 2002. Understanding the Link Between Research and Policy. Rural
Communities Impacting Policy Project. pp 18.
Editorial; 2010. Reconsidering evidence-based policy: Key issues and challenges. Policy and
Society. 29. 77-94.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION; 2008. Scientific evidence for policy – making. Research Policy. Socio-
Economic Sciences and Humanities. pp 31.
Grebmer, K.V. Converting Policy Research into Policy Decisions: The Role of Communication
and the Media. Unpublished Articles. pp 4.
Henriques, L.; Laredo, P.; 2013. Policy-making in science policy: The ‘OECD model’ unveiled.
Research Policy. 42: 801-816.
Jones, B.; 2011. Linking Research to Policy: The African Development Bank as Knowledge
Broker. Working Paper No. 131. African Development Bank. pp 36.
Keohlmoos, T.; Rashid, M.; Rahman, Z.; Cravioto, A.; Hanney, S.; 2009. Understanding the Role of
Evidence in Policy Making in Bangladesh. Report 1: An Analysis of Interviews with health Sector
Decision Maker. ICDDR, B. pp 12.
Kingdon, T.; 1993. The relevance of research to policy formulation: an Australian perspective.
Addiction. 88. 61S-65S.
Newman, K.; Capillo, A.; Famurewa, A.; Nath, C.; Siyanbola, W.; 2013. What is the evidence on
evidence-informed policy making?. Lesson from the International Conference on Evidence-
Informed Policy Making. INASP. pp 18.
ODI; 2009. Helping researchers become policy entrepreneurs. Briefing paper 53. Overseas
Development Institute. pp 4.
UNCTAD, 2006. Research-Based Policy Making: Bridging the gap between researchers and
policy makers. UNCTAD VIRTUAL INSTITUTE. pp 6.
UNESCO, 2011. Research – Policy Linkages of Science – Related Ministries and Their Research
Organizations. Economic and Social Research Foundation. pp 37.
T HA NK
Y OU