Synchronizing the Logic of Inquiry with the Logic of Action: The Case of Urban Climate Policy

Abstract

Policymakers often rely on scientific knowledge for making policy decisions, and many scientists aim to produce knowledge that is useful to policymakers. However, the logic of action (which guides policy) and the logic of inquiry (which guides research) do not always align. We introduce the term “logic synchronization” to characterize the degree to which the logic of policy action aligns with the logic of scientific inquiry. We use the case of urban climate policy to explore this dynamic using a purposive literature review. The framework presented here is helpful in identifying areas in which the logic of inquiry and the logic of action synchronize, creating the opportunity for both policy-relevant science and science-informed policy. It also reveals where the logics do not yet synchronize, which indicates where scientists and policy makers can productively focus their efforts. The framework introduced here can be both theoretically and practically useful for linking scientific knowledge to policy action.

Aligning the logics of inquiry and action to address the biodiversity crisis

“…Many domains of public policy—including those relating to biodiversity—draw from scientific knowledge. Actors (individuals or institutions) in science–policy domains can typically be divided into one of two groups: knowledge users (policy makers or implementers) and knowledge producers (scientists or researchers) (Barton et al., 2021; Caplan, 1979; Farr et al., 2006). These groups typically share goals, information, and even people, since some individuals may function as both knowledge users and knowledge producers.…”

“…If we are to overcome this crisis, we must understand how to synchronize the logic that guides research with the logic that guides action. Here we apply lessons from our research on actionable science in conservation (Barton et al., 2021; Carr Kelman et al., 2022; Gerber et al., 2020) to shed light on how policy interventions can support the production of both actionable conservation science and informed conservation action and therefore avert further loss of biodiversity.…”

The complexity of the conservation-development nexus in Central African national parks and the perceptions of local populations

“…Factors and actors affecting communication and sound policy implementation need to be assessed to increase positive perceptions and success of conservation measures. In particular, the logic of action (guiding policy) and the logic of inquiry (guiding research) do not always align (Barton et al, 2021). Through the synchronization of these two logics, researchers and organizations can produce actionable science for conservation and development, following a guide of best practices provided by Gerber et al (2020).…”

Five approaches to producing actionable science in conservation

“…Challenges associated with the linkage of knowledge and action include the lack of engagement between scientists and decision makers, lack of institutional support for knowledge transfer, applicability and availability of scientific knowledge, and use of different logics (Barton et al., 2021; Fazey et al., 2013; McNie et al., 2016; Rose et al., 2018; Schwartz et al., 2019). Overcoming these challenges is not trivial, and the challenges are not limited to conservation.…”