Research for advocacy

Benefits of research Understanding why an issue is a problem to business Understanding the scale & impact of the issue Understanding the history & rationale for current public policy; understanding harm that regulation is designed to avoid Understanding how changing public policy will help business & other stakeholders Frame issue in clear language Be able to communicate issue effectively

Identifying issues Important to members Number of businesses affected (breadth)? How are they affected (depth)? Priority areas for Government Chances of success?

Understanding the issue History & rationale for public policy Implications for business Possible solutions Public sector decision making processes Current opinions and attitudes of policy makers

Structure your research Define the problem Identify who else is interested Summarise what you already know Fill in the gaps

Research techniques Secondary research Surveys Focus group discussion Other BMOs Research institutions Government Surveys Face to face Telephone Semi-structured Different stakeholder groups Focus group discussion

Primary research Define problem Determine relevant information Existing knowledge Design research Test out research Do research Analyse data & report on it Analyse data & report on it Use it Use it

Stages in surveys

Focus groups 8-12 participants Small number of questions, with opportunity to probe and assess whether issues are shared by group or peculiar to one participant Quantitative and qualitative analysis

Structure your research Define the problem Identify who else is interested Summarise what you already know Fill in the gaps Care with statistics

Cost benefit analysis Costs – usually accrue to business Benefits – usually accrue to society Present values

Structure your research Define the problem Identify who else is interested Summarise what you already know Fill in the gaps Care with statistics Develop responses Prepare a formal policy proposal

Commissioning consultants Terms of reference Clarity about experience & expertise required Clarity about evaluation criteria Word of mouth & recommendation Formal proposals Panel assessment Formal contracting

Next steps

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