Policy Research Design Resources


Focus & Framing

Over years working with policy researchers, one of the key takeaways has been that really working on the design from day 1 will maximise the quality of the eventual outcomes of the research. The view of policy research design presented here is quite particular. It has evolved though our work in transition countries and focuses on the type of policy resarch commonly done in contexts where there is a lack of data in general and a small amount of existing policy or social science research to build on. Under these circumstances, policy research often tends to have the following features:

  • Small scale, case-based research with a flexible, hypothesis generating and process tracing approach;
  • With a client asking a broad question, usually trying to understand why and how a current policy approach is not working;
  • Mixed methods approach to maximise the amount data and evidence;
  • Although flexible in approach, the idea is to really dig deep and develop a really rigorous plan from the start;
  • With the ambition to evaluate a current policy problem through a representative case and put forward sensible options and recommendations.

If you are interested in a broader elaboration why we choose to focus on this type of research, see the following blog post. This does not mean the tools or samples presented here could not be used in other approaches, but the advice assumes these kinds of challenges. Our training module on policy research design is also based around these assumptions.

In the planning or designing of policy research, the core tool is the policy research proposal and so that is the focus of the resources presented here. Often people see the process of developing a policy research proposal as some kind of painful bureaucratic necessity; in our view it is the key opportunity build a focused and feasible plan with a solid logic. Or put in simple terms, a good start!


Resources

 

Policy Research Proposal

  1. ICPA Description of the Policy Research Proposal - This short document provides insight into the focus and purpose of a policy research proposal, as well as the structural elements that are normally included.
  2. Policy Research Proposal Planning Worksheet - This Word document provides a framework within which you can begin to outline your policy research proposal. The elements included are described in the descriptor above
  3. Sample Policy Research Proposal - Sample 1 - Pro-poor Reform in Public Transport in Ankara - This sample was submitted as to the Japanese Award on Outstanding Research on Development at the Global Development Network. This sample is a good illustration of more focused indepth and qualitative policy research. The Rationale part is very nicely built up in this sample.
  4. Sample Policy Research Proposal - Sample 2 - Reform of the Power Sector in Different States of India - This sample was submitted as to the Japanese Award on Outstanding Research on Development at the Global Development Network. This sample is a good illustration of more broad and ambitious research plan with both policy and academic outcomes. The methods are very well developed in this case, with strong connections and logic.

 

Recommended Readings on Policy Research Design

Each of these readings has very useful chapters on the research design process and are well worth reading.

  1. Robson, Colin (2002) Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. 2ndEdition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
  2. Yin, Robert K (2009) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. 4th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  3. Collier, David (2011) Understanding Process Tracing. Polical Science and Politics. 44/No. 4:823-830.

These publications are widely available in libraries and online.

 

This page was developed as part of the Policy Bridging Initiative, a joint ICPA project with the Regional Research Promotion Programme, University of Fribourg and Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation - SDC

rrpp