This document discusses the role of research in policy making. It begins by outlining the policy formulation process and explaining the difference between experience-based and evidence-based policy making. It then defines policy research, describing its pragmatic and action-oriented nature. The document identifies different types of policy research and their uses in the policy making process. It also examines problems with linking research to policy, such as ensuring relevance and accessibility of research. Finally, it concludes that cooperation between researchers and policy makers is needed to understand needs and improve communication of research for evidence-based policy.

1. Pabitra Gurung, PhD Student
gurung@unbc.ca
Presentation for the course NRES-803
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES)
University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George, BC, CANADA
Role of Research
in Policy Making
(in terms of
policy research)

2.  Policy Formulation Process
 Experience-based Policy Making
 Evidence-based Policy Making
 Policy Research
 Problems: Linking Research to Policy
 Conclusions
 Discussion Questions
Outline

3. Policy Formulation Process

4. Stages of Policy Formulation Process
1. Developing the Policy Agenda
2. Identifying the Specific
Objectives & Policy Options
3. 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

5. 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

6. Local
Innovation
System
Immergence in
innovation facilitation
and realization
Experience-based Policy Making
Local
Policies
National
Policies
International
Policies Provide interaction with
international policy
making
Connecting national
policies to local
innovation system

7. Policy makers access
and use research to
inform policy
How evidence-based is policy?
Evidence-based Policy Making
Evidence-based
policy contributes to
development
Demand
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?
Supply
Relevant research is
effectively
communicated to
policy makers
How well connected are policy
makers and research?
How well is research
communicated to policy makers?

8. 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
Government
Universities
Policy Organizations
Individuals
Private Sectors
Community Organizations
Special Interest Groups
Lobbying Groups
Voluntary Sector
Pragmatic
Action-oriented
Recommendations
Issues
Questions
Problems

9. Type of Policy Research
1. CASE STUDIES
Analyze experiences of
organizations or communities
4. SURVEYS
Identify 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 ANALYSIS
Statistical examination of
data from the databases
5. REVIEW OF RESEARCH
Based on research findings:
articles, discussions,
experiences, memoranda
POLICY
RESEARCH

10. 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. POLLS
Public opinion on specific
topics
2. OFFICIAL STATISTICS
Data on the economic and
political aspects of society
7. MEDIA
Newspapers, Radio,
Television, Internet
3. THINK TANKS
NGOs that engage in the
study of public policy
5. TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Accumulated knowledge
passed from generation to
generation
SOURCES
OF
INFORMATION

11. 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

12. Problems: Linking Research to Policy
Importance &
Acknowledgement
of Research
Pragmatic & Data
Reliability
Participation of
Key Stakeholders
Information
Accessibility &
Interpretation
Simplicity &
Translation
Level of
Understanding
Copy and Paste
Scope and Target
External
Influences

13. 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.

14. 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?

15. References
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16. T H A N K
Y O U