Features KNOWLEDGE TO POLICY Making the Most of Development Research Fred Carden

IDRC in the Public Policy Process: A Strategic Evaluation of the Influence of Research on Public Policy

This study aims to clarify and document what the Centre means by "policy influence"; to examine more systematically the extent to which and the ways in which the research it supports influences policy; and to examine the factors which affect the extent of policy influence resulting from its projects. The study will serve two main purposes:

1. To provide learning at the program level to enhance the design of projects and programs to increase policy influence where that is a key objective;

2. To provide an opportunity for corporate level learning by offering feedback on performance and input on the design of the next corporate program framework.

There are two central elements to the methodology:

1. Stories: In order to effectively capture both the opportunities and challenges of the use of research in the policy making process, the development of rich case examples for analysis was employed in this study. Since context is so crucial when observing (potential) instances of policy influence, the case studies provide stories and narratives that are attentive to local conditions and historical circumstances. A key part of the methodological framework for the study was the use of a common methodology and questions for the case studies that allow depth and richness in each qualitative case, but also lends itself to cross-case analysis.

2. Engagement in analysis: A second important element is the engagement of staff and partners in the analysis. To do that, the Unit engaged Centre staff in a series of workshops to carry out preliminary analysis of the findings. The workshops were focused on several key cases from a region and engaged staff from that region, together with IDRC partners and the consultants who conducted the research. Continued engagement by staff and partners will be sought throughout the study.

• Design Documents
  

• Background Studies
  

• Case Studies
  

• Workshops and Presentations
  

Knowledge to policy: Making the Most of Development Research 2009
Fred Carden presented at this Overseas Developemt Initiative (ODI) Public Event (April 2009)

In Conversation: Carol Weiss and Evert Lindquist on Policymaking and Research 2003-09-11
It seems logical to suggest that public policies would be better constructed if policymakers had access to the best research. Yet all too often, researchers and policymakers inhabit separate spheres — the work of the two does not connect. These are the views of Professor Carol Weiss of Harvard University and Professor Evert Lindquist of the University of Victoria. Professor Weiss has written 11 books and over 100 articles on evaluation and public policy research and ran Harvard's postdoctoral program on evaluation. Professor Lindquist is director of the University of Victoria's School of Public Administration and has written extensively on the machinery of government and policy-making, policy communities and networks, and the role of think tanks.