2. Timing is everything: balancing topicality,
relevance and precision in delivering
evidence-based policy making
www.incore.ulster.ac.uk
3. Background
Pressing policy issue.
Yet, one beset by political division and ideological
stalemate.
Research topic: Good relations priorities for NI.
Challenging area. How can policies develop
relationships?
Have previous experience which had policy
implications.
Timely to undertake new work.
New context: engage with the policymakers.
4. Developing the research focus
Deliberate strategy: go to the heart of government.
Sell them the pitch.
Negotiate on the pitch.
Reflect on the difference between A (our proposal)
and B (their needs).
Agree on a way forward.
Timeframe: Feb 2010 – April 2011.
5. Topicality: Prevailing Policy
Environment
Policy Context
Shared Future (2005)
Cohesion, Sharing and Integration. (2008-)
Another consultation process.
Prevailing Public Environment:
Discontent and frustration.
Ambivalence and wariness.
Stagnation.
6. Research Relevance
Significant levels of quantitative data available.
Self-consciously qualitative research:
21-30 informants.
Process of identifying: collaborative.
Five key questions. Interviews began June 2011.
August 2011: Policy consultation document
released.
Activity in external environment.
Qualitative discussions changed.
7. Topicality, relevance and precision
Challenge: Surely you are wishing to affect
policymaking?
Do you go with the flow of conversation, or stick
rigidly to the research questions?
Interviews became an ongoing negotiation between
focusing on the questions, and focusing on the policy
realities.
8. Dissemination strategy
Consultation ended in October 2010.
Interviews continued until December 2010.
First draft write up, January 2011. Meetings with
officials on key findings.
Feedback: validates policy focus in consultation
document.
However, quality and nature of the document was
questioned by respondents.
Discussions on emphasis of findings. Continued
negotiation, based on political sensitivities.
9. Balance Sheet
Findings: deeply critical of the political elites.
Officials had commissioned with the work.
Balance of speedy dissemination vs. time for
reflection and analysis.
Highly topical, engagement, back-and-forth.
Discrete piece of work. Had the opportunity to make
a difference.
Informants were very engaged.
10. Reflections on relationship
Honest relationship with senior civil servants.
Unsure of power dynamics between civil servants,
special advisors and political leaders.
Civil servants working within challenging and sensitive
political dynamics.
Conscious not to get involved, but also to be mindful
of this reality.
11. Researcher Gremlins
Did I speak with the right people?
Was critical distance maintained?
How can we ensure appropriate and wide
dissemination?
13. Presented at the 2nd European
conference on Qualitative Research for
Policy Making, 26 -27 May 2011, Belfast
For more information
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