Research, policy and practice: why developing countries are different

Abstract

Better utilization of research and evidence in development policy and practice can help save lives, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life. However, there is limited systematic understanding of the links between research and policy in international development. The paper reviews existing literature and proposes an analytical framework with four key arenas: external influences, political context, evidence and links. Based on the findings of stakeholder workshops in developing countries around the world, the paper identifies four key issues that characterize many developing countries. These are: (i) troubled political contexts; (ii) problems of research supply; (iii) external interference; and (iv) the emergence of civil society as a key player. Despite these challenges, two institutional models seem to be particularly effective: (i) think tanks and (ii) regional networks. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Introduction: New Perspectives on Africa’s Youth Employment Challenge

“…In recent years, much has been written about the 'research into policy' problem (Court and Maxwell 2005;Eames and McGeevor 2007;Stone 2009Stone , 2013van der Arend 2014;Young 2005). Approaches to this reflect different understandings of knowledge and evidence, and of the policy process.…”

“…The research into the policy problem looks very different to those who see the policy process as linear and largely technical, compared to those who argue that both evidence and policy processes are always contested and deeply political. The research and policy in development (RAPID) framework (Court and Maxwell 2005;Court and Young 2006;Young 2005) for the analysis of impacts of research on policy draws from both the technical and political approaches. It highlights the need to understand context (i.e.…”

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

“…This includes factors such as political culture, extent of civil and political freedoms, vested interests, capacities of government to respond, and attitudes and incentives among officials (Young 2005). Here, the overlap of political context with evidence describes the process of "strategic analysis," drawing ideas and information from both government and the research community, past research, and the experience and knowledge of actors involved.…”

“…The assumption is that when such links are established early enough, the evidence generated and discussed at this intersection is likely to be viewed as relevant and salient to the local context (Young 2005;Cash et al 2003). The big challenge in most African countries is getting all three to intersect, given the poor state of evidence generation (from poor quality data, poor training and incentives, weak peer review systems), poor links (from poor communications, capacities), political context (power play, vested interests, top down bureaucracies, and elitist attitudes among officials), and external environment, especially the exaggerated influence of donors.…”

“…How effective a national knowledge system is in generating and promoting the use of evidence depends on many factors: the perceived credibility and relevance of the evidence generated; the type of relationships and linkages that develop among all individual actors and organizations involved; capacities to comprehend and utilize the evidence, the local policy process and political climate; and local beliefs and norms (Young 2005;Cash et al 2003). Often, it is the linkage among individuals and organizations that help to bridge the supply and demand for evidence which is especially weak.…”