Upload
gavin-dowd
View
224
Download
4
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Real world approaches to assessing the impact of research on policy
Annette Boaz
King’s College London
23rd September 2010
2
Outline
• Models of the relationship between research
policy and practice
• Rationales for assessing impact
• What can we learn from the literature?
• 10 research impact assessment case
studies
• Consider the implications for SSH research
3
Models
Linear – relay race
Relationship – two communities
Systems – co-production
Diffusion
Engineering
4
Activities designed to promote research
impactKnowledge
brokers
Research briefings
Participation in Networks
Co-locating researchers and
policy makersJoint
research projects
Advisory groups
Seminars/ presentations
5
Models
Linear – relay race
Relationship – two communities
Systems – co-production
Research briefings
Joint research projects
Advisory groups
Effective knowledge transferdepends on
• the nature of the research and its utility
• the personal characteristics of both researchers and users
• the links between researchers and users
• the context for the application of the research
See Nutley, Walter and Davies, 2007, pp 81-83,
See also Overseas Development Institute
6
7
Why assess the impact of our research?
Learning
Performance
In its quest for excellence, the European Commission must and will encourage, promoteand support every effort to understand and monitor the quality of research at universities. 1
Accountability
Promoting organizational achievements
Moderating between stakeholders
1Commissioner Janez Potočnik, Assessing Europe’s University-Based Research, 2010
8
Review question: How do you (best) evaluate the impact of research on
policy?• Explored the websites of 30 organizations
• Hand search of selected journals and reference lists
• Search of SPRU and IDS library catalogues
• Search of 10 research databases
• 1987-2007
• UK and international sources
Research programmes
Research
Initiatives to increase research use
Research Users
Systematic reviews
Focusing the review on policy use
Single study
Policy makers
Country of OriginAustralia, 8
Canada , 20
Finland, 4
Switzerland, 3
The Netherlands, 9
UK, 61
USA, 38
Other,13
Other includes: Brazil, Denmark, Spain and Norway
11
Methods for measuring research impact
Figure 5: Methodologies
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
To
tal n
um
ber
of
pap
ers
Discussed
Used
How do people evaluate the impact of research
programmes? Wide range of methods and approaches (often in combination):
· Qualitative methods: semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis, field visits and observations
· Quantitative methods: surveys, bibliometrics and patent/new technology tracking
· Panels and peer review
· Workshops and focus groups
· Process tracking
Figure 6: Frameworks for structuring and interpreting data
02468
101214161820
Tota
l nu
mb
er
of
pa
pe
rs
Discussed
Used
Ten impact assessment case studies
Stockholm Environment Institute
14
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (New Zealand)
Finnish Environment Institute
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency
CGIAR
Environment Agency (England and Wales)Defra
Land and Water Australia
French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
15
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency
Finnish Environmental Institute
Embedded approach: Ten year independent evaluation, four year strategic evaluations, internal annual evaluations, annual researcher self evaluation
Goal: how to increase impact
Methods: multi-method16
Key themes:
• Diverse of objectives, scope and scale
• Types of approach
• Generic challenges
• Challenges specific to environmental research
17
What are the implications for SSH
research in Latin America and Europe?
18
8 key questions (when designing an impact
evaluation)1. What is your conceptual framework?2. What are the outcomes of interest?3. What methods will best explore the outcomes of interest?4. How do you address attribution?5. What is the direction of travel for the evaluation?6. Is this a mixed method approach, providing scope for triangulation?7. Will the methods selected capture context and the complexity?8. When might be the best time to conduct the evaluation?
These need to be considered in the light of the time, skills and resources available for the evaluation.See Boaz et al 2009
My contact details: [email protected]
Some useful references and websites:
-Boaz, A, Fitzpatrick, S and Shaw, B (2009) Assessing the impact of research on policy: a literature review. Science and Public Policy, 36(4): 255-270
-Nutley S, Walter I, and Davies H (2007) Using evidence: How research can inform public services. Bristol: The Policy Press.
-O’Leary, G, Boyle, R, Donlon, B and Sheils, L (2008) Providing a framework for accountability and learning in environmental research. Administration. 5 (4): 159-170
-The Overseas Development Institute RAPID programme: http://www.odi.org.uk/programmes/rapid/
- Wooding S, Nason E, Klautzer L, Rubin J, Hanney S and Grant J (2007) Policy and practice impacts of research funded by the ESRC. A case study of the Future of Work programme, approach and analysis. Cambridge: RAND Europe. http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2007/RAND_TR435.pdf
20
21
Managing Editors: Annette Boaz, Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, UK and David Gough, Institute of Education, University of London, UK
Volume 6, 2010, 4 issues: January, May, August and November http://www.policypress.co.uk/journals_eap.asp