1. Real world approaches to assessing the impact of research on policy
Annette Boaz
King’s College London
23rd September 2010
My interest in the use of research knowledge – interest in critical appraisal of qualitative research – searching for a study - experience at DH with research at bottom of a filing cabinet.
Background in politics big believer in conspiracy – not now. Politics has a significant role to play, but lots we can do to improve impact

2. Outline
Models of the relationship between research policy and practice
Rationales for assessing impact
What can we learn from the literature?
10 research impact assessment case studies
Consider the implications for SSH research
Wanted to come at translational research from a slightly different angle

3. Models Relationship – two communities Linear – relay race Engineering
Diffusion
Broadly speaking three different types of model of the relationship between research, policy and practice:
The first, a linear model (dissemination, diffusion of innovations etc.)
The second, one in which there are two communities that aim to come together around, for e.g. research advisory groups
The third, where researchers work with potential users to produce research together
Systems – co-production

4. Activities designed to promote research impact
Research briefings
Advisory groups
Knowledge brokers
Co-locating researchers and policy makers
Participation in Networks
Joint research projects
We tend to be engaged in a wide range of activities which are designed to promote use – here are the most common ones
Seminars/ presentations

5. Models Relationship – two communities Linear – relay race
Advisory groups
Models
Research briefings
Relationship – two communities
Linear – relay race
Joint research projects
Systems – co-production
These activities can be mapped onto the models. For e.g.

6. Effective knowledge transfer
depends on
the nature of the research and its utility
the personal characteristics of both researchers and users
the links between researchers and users
the context for the application of the research
See Nutley, Walter and Davies, 2007, pp 81-83,
See also Overseas Development Institute

7. Why assess the impact of our research?
Moderating between stakeholders
Learning
Accountability
Why assess the impact of our research?
In its quest for excellence, the European Commission must and will encourage, promote
and support every effort to understand and monitor the quality of research at universities. 1
Promoting organizational achievements
Performance
1Commissioner Janez Potočnik, Assessing Europe’s University-Based Research, 2010

8. Review question: How do you (best) evaluate the impact of research on policy?
Explored the websites of 30 organizations
Hand search of selected journals and reference lists
Search of SPRU and IDS library catalogues
Search of 10 research databases
UK and international sources
An example is the work done by the Health Economics Research Group based at Brunel University
Innovating in terms of methods for analysis and theoretical frameworks
Famous study of a prominent Diabetes researcher George Alberti – tracking his papers from 1981 and interviewing members of the team. Found much from going beyond bibliometrics. e.g. The great things his students and other co-investigators went on to achieve.

9. Initiatives to increase research use
Focusing the review on policy use
Research Users
Research
Single study
Policy makers
Research programmes
Systematic reviews
Initiatives to increase research use

10. Other includes: Brazil,
Denmark, Spain and Norway

11. Methods for measuring research impact
Recently conducted a review for Defra of methods for assessing research impact on policy – drawing on 156 papers.
A few points to note:
Main methods: semi structured interviews, case studies, documentary analysis
To note: people talk about bibliometric analysis a lot more than they do it
Panel reviews: popular in Europe for their consensus building qualities
Lots of health research in the area – most famous Knowledge into action, but no systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, Cohort studies, Case-control studies, cross sectional surveys

12. How do people evaluate the impact of research programmes?
Wide range of methods and approaches (often in combination):
· Qualitative methods: semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis, field visits and observations
· Quantitative methods: surveys, bibliometrics and patent/new technology tracking
· Panels and peer review
· Workshops and focus groups
· Process tracking

14. Ten impact assessment case studies
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (New Zealand)
French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea
Land and Water Australia
CGIAR
Stockholm Environment Institute
Ten impact assessment case studies
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency
Defra
Environment Agency (England and Wales)
Finnish Environment Institute
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

15. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency
An example is the work done by the Health Economics Research Group based at Brunel University
Innovating in terms of methods for analysis and theoretical frameworks
Famous study of a prominent Diabetes researcher George Alberti – tracking his papers from 1981 and interviewing members of the team. Found much from going beyond bibliometrics. e.g. The great things his students and other co-investigators went on to achieve.

16. Finnish Environmental Institute
Embedded approach: Ten year independent evaluation, four year strategic evaluations, internal annual evaluations, annual researcher self evaluation Goal: how to increase impact Methods: multi-method

17. Key themes: Diverse of objectives, scope and scale Types of approach
Generic challenges
Challenges specific to environmental research

18. What are the implications for SSH research in Latin America and Europe?

19. 8 key questions (when designing an impact evaluation)
1. What is your conceptual framework?
. What are the outcomes of interest?
. What methods will best explore the outcomes of interest?
. How do you address attribution?
. What is the direction of travel for the evaluation?
. Is this a mixed method approach, providing scope for triangulation?
. Will the methods selected capture context and the complexity?
. When might be the best time to conduct the evaluation?
These need to be considered in the light of the time, skills and resources available for the evaluation.
See Boaz et al 2009

20. My contact details: Annette.boaz@kcl.ac.uk
Some useful references and websites:
Boaz, A, Fitzpatrick, S and Shaw, B (2009) Assessing the impact of research on policy: a literature review. Science and Public Policy, 36(4):
Nutley S, Walter I, and Davies H (2007) Using evidence: How research can inform public services. Bristol: The Policy Press.
O’Leary, G, Boyle, R, Donlon, B and Sheils, L (2008) Providing a framework for accountability and learning in environmental research. Administration. 5 (4):
-The Overseas Development Institute RAPID programme:
- Wooding S, Nason E, Klautzer L, Rubin J, Hanney S and Grant J (2007) Policy and practice impacts of research funded by the ESRC. A case study of the Future of Work programme, approach and analysis. Cambridge: RAND Europe.
My contact details:

21. Managing Editors: Annette Boaz, Division of Health and Social Care Research, King's College London, UK and David Gough, Institute of Education, University of London, UK Volume 6, 2010, 4 issues: January, May, August and November