Developing specialist knowledge into policy: The case for Evidence Based Policy and Practice EBPP

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Developing specialist knowledge into policy
The case for Evidence Based Policy and Practice
(EBPP) Dr Niamh Gaynor Prof Ronaldo
Munck
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Why EBPP?

• Better utilisation of research and evidence in
  development policy and practice can help save
  lives and reduce poverty (ODI, 2004).
• But
• Policy uptake the whole life of policy is a
  chaos of purposes and accidents (Edward Clay,
  1984),
• Research relevance much research divorced from
  real issues on the ground,
• The result limited impact of research on policy
  and practice (DfID, 2007).

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How does research contribute to policy?

• Traditionally the link has been viewed as a
  linear process.
• But this traditional view now being questioned.
• The linear model is no longer assumed,
• Nor is there a clear divide between researchers
  and policy makers.
• Literature on research-policy link is now moving
  towards a more dynamic and complex view that
  emphasises a two-way process between research and
  policy, shaped by multiple relations and
  reservoirs of knowledge.
• EBPP ? PPBE

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What is evidence?

• Expert knowledge published research existing
  statistics stakeholder consultations previous
  policy evaluations the internet outcomes from
  consultations costings of policy options output
  from economic and statistical modelling.
• (UK Government Cabinet Office, 1999)
• Knowledge of what works / what evidence is most
  useful tends to be influenced greatly by the
  kinds of questions asked.

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Lessons for researchers How to influence policy
(ODIs RAPID)

• Develop a detailed understanding of
• Policymaking processes,
• The nature of evidence required,
• Other stakeholders involved in policy.
• Develop an overall strategy for our work
• Identify policy windows,
• Ensure evidence is credible and practically
  useful,
• Work with policy makers over the longterm.

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Lessons for us all How to improve evidence use
in policy and practice (Nutley, Davies and
Walter, 2003)

• Agree on what counts as evidence in what
  circumstances,
• Agree a strategic approach to the collation of
  evidence in priority areas,
• Disseminate evidence to where it is most needed,
• Agree on initiatives to ensure the integration of
  evidence into policy and encourage the
  utilisation of evidence in practice.

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How? InfrastructureResearch/policy/practice
platforms to set, implement and communicate EBPP
strategies

• What are the issues to be addressed and what
  evidence is required?
• What evidence is already available and what are
  the gaps? How do we prioritise these gaps?
• What research designs are appropriate in
  gathering the evidence, and what are the most
  effective methodologies to employ?
• How can the need for rigour be balanced with the
  need for timely findings of practical relevance?
• How can the research findings be most effectively
  communicated to policy makers and practitioners
  (knowledge translation).