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SRA course: Research into policy & practice

SRA course: Research into policy & practice. Research utilisation & impact: some theory & insights. The research and policy/practice relationship. Research impact a key concern of funders Many current attempts to evaluate impact Need to demonstrate ‘user engagement’

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SRA course: Research into policy & practice

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  1. SRA course: Research into policy & practice Research utilisation & impact: some theory & insights

  2. The research and policy/practice relationship • Research impact a key concern of funders • Many current attempts to evaluate impact • Need to demonstrate ‘user engagement’ • Impact doesn’t just happen • Need to understand perspectives of users

  3. Context • Users have their own agendas • Often very busy • Don’t understand the research process &... • usually, not very interested in it • Research competes with many other influences

  4. Research is just one factor in policy & practice.....

  5. Lots of other things are happening Eg in government, it’s a bit like an iceberg - much of the activity goes on ‘below the waterline’........

  6. The Policy Iceberg Commissioned research and evaluation Implementation Legislation Policy Announcement Public Policy Idea Sea level Party Politics Manifesto commitments Elections No 10 priorities Cabinet/Ministerial Public Opinion Political careers Political research (opinion polling etc) Political Costing options Reviews of evidence Analysis of admin data Budgets/Resources Priorities Legal powers Operational issues Parliamentary timetables Human nature Practical

  7. There’s no time to worry about the nuts and bolts of research

  8. Research activity is a ‘black box’ Long, boring report Inconclusive results Irrelevant results Results too late Research expensive Political embarrassment ‘Wrong answer’ Research Activity ? Policy Question Research findings OR Regular feedback of results Policy question answered Research on time No last minute surprises Research useful and used

  9. What goes on inside is largely irrelevant Clarify research question Check existing knowledge/re-analyse data Check budget/procurement rules Design research Commission research Field work Data processing Data analysis Report writing Research-based advice Publication Research Q. Research Findings

  10. The Policy/Practice Research Relationship Last minute research involvement Unclear information requirements Changing needs Poor communication (mistrust) Junior level discussion Inflexible research No ownership Too busy BAD RESULT UNSATISFIED USER GOOD RESULT SATISFIED USER Early research involvement Ongoing dialogue Senior level discussion Research flexibility Policy ownership

  11. How does the relationship work?

  12. Many models of the relationship Important thing is the relationship is complicated and impact is rarely instant or straightforward

  13. Nutley et al 2002 Instrumental Conceptual Leads to changes in knowledge, attitude or understanding Wider Influence Leads to larger scale shifts in thinking Leads directly to decision making for policy & practice Mobilisation Used as an instrument of persuasion to legitimise action/inaction

  14. Weiss (1979) • Knowledge –driven • Problem-solving • Interactive • Political • Tactical • Enlightenment • Research as part of the intellectual enterprise of society

  15. So why does research get ignored??

  16. Barriers: structural • Timing (too late/takes too long) • Inconclusive/conflicting findings • Nature of social science knowledge • Irrelevant (asks wrong questions)

  17. Barriers: human • Suspicion/hostility • ‘No time’ • Scepticism of value (we know best) • Fear of bad news • Loss of control • No research culture

  18. Barriers: communication • Users not kept involved (no ownership) • Report jargon-laden & inaccessible • Policy/practice implications not clear

  19. What can researchers do?

  20. Embedded processes • Embed research planning in organisational planning • User ‘ownership’ • Sticks & carrots • Organisational structures • Culture of partnership

  21. Responsive research • Anticipating future needs • Summarising evidence • Identifying gaps • Tailoring research findings to user needs • Bespoke advice

  22. Centres of good practice • Evidence for Policy & Practice Information & Co-ordinating Centre, (IOE) • Social Care Institute for Excellence • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence • Research Unit for Research Utilisation (St Andrews) • Campbell Collaboration • Cochrane • Research in Practice, Dartington

  23. Web addresses • http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk • www.scie.org.uk • www.st-and.ac.uk/-ruru • www.nice.org.uk • www.campbellcollaboration.org • www.cochrane.org • www.rip.org.uk • www.ripfa.org.uk

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