Bridging research and policy: insights from 50 case studies

Abstract

English While we know of a lot about research-policy links in rich countries, there has been very little systematic work on those in the rest of the world. This article reports on the process, findings and implications of an initiative to collect and analyse 50 summary case studies on research-policy links from developing and transition countries. The discussion is structured around a framework of three interlinked domains: context, evidence, links. The article also refers to other issues that emerge from the case studies, particularly the role of external influences and donors. Finally, it emphasises the impor tance of translating the findings into practical recommendations for policy makers, donors and researchers.Français Bien que l'on connaisse bien les liens recherche-politique dans les pays riches, le reste du monde a très peu travaillé sur ces liens de façon systématique. L'article fait un rapport sur le processus, les conclusions et les implications d'une initiative qui collecte et analyse 50 résumés d'études de cas sur les liens recherche-politique provenant des pays en voie de développement et en transition. La discussion se structure autour de trois domaines reliés : contexte, preuves, liens. L'article se réfère aussi à d'autres points qui émergent des études de cas, particulièrement le rôle des influences externes et de donateurs. Finalement, il met l'accent sur l'importance de traduire les conclusions en recommandations pratiques pour les dirigeants, les donateurs et les chercheurs.Español Mientras que sabemos mucho acerca de las relaciones políticas de investigación en los países ricos, ha habido muy poco trabajo sistemático de tales relaciones en el resto del mundo. Este artículo informa del proceso, resultados e implicaciones de una iniciativa para recoger y analizar 50 resúmenes de un estudio de casos en relaciones políticas de investigación desde países en desarrollo y en transición. La discusión está estructurada alrededor de un marco de tres campos interrelacionados: contexto, evidencia, vínculos. El artículo también se refiere a otros temas que surgen del estudio de casos, sobretodo el papel de las influencias externas y donantes. Finalmente, el ar tículo enfatiza la impor tancia de traducir los resultados a recomendaciones prácticas para los elaboradores políticos, donantes e investigadores.

Building capacities of elected national representatives to interpret and to use evidence for health-related policy decisions: A case study from Botswana

“…Studies have documented hindrances to evidence-informed health policymaking in both low-and high-income countries 13,23 and two systematic reviews reported many barriers to health policymakers using evidence: decision makers' perceptions about research evidence; lack of contact between researchers and policymakers; research that was not timely or relevant; mutual mistrust; competing influences; and power and budget struggles. 24,25 If elected representatives had a better understanding of the evidence they need to support rational decision making, instead of being passive recipients, they could start to demand different kinds of evidence.…”

“…Many decision makers lack these skills. 13,14 A 2012 international forum on evidence-informed health policymaking in low-and middle-income countries called for building the capacity of potential research users to evaluate and use research evidence. 15 Initiatives have attempted to build health policymakers' and planners' capacity to use evidence in both rich and resource-poor settings.…”

Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support Systems (SAKSS): Translating Evidence into Action

“…How the SAKSS network, in particular, can serve as a 'knowledge support system' in the context of an agricultural strategy is best illustrated using the Context Evidence and Links Framework developed by ODI (Crewe and Young 2002;Court and Young 2003). The framework involves four key elements: external influence, political context, evidence and links.…”

“…For example, any 'strategic analysis' and knowledge management activities should be undertaken in a collaborative manner to promote local involvement and ownership. This ensures that the evidence generated is both relevant and salient to the perspectives, concerns, and issues, of both local researchers as 'suppliers' and policymakers and their stakeholders as 'users,' and thus increasing the chances of policy impact (Cash et al 2003;Court and Young 2003;Ryan and Garrett 2003;Wangwe 2005). …”

Child poverty, evidence and policy

“…Over the last two decades research has expanded to Southern contexts (see, for example, Grindle and Thomas, 1980;Walt, 1984;Thomas and Grindle, 1990;Walt and Gibson, 1994;Holmes and Scoones, 2000;Court and Young, 2003;Keeley and Scoones, 2003a, 2003b, 2003cBrock and McGee, 2004;Leach et al, 2005). Assumptions regarding policy-making processes have been challenged, particularly in Southern contexts -notably those relating to the rationality and linearity of policy processes (see Stone Sweet et al, 2001).…”