Context, Evidence and Links (Introduction | Integrated | Politics | Networks | Evidence)

The GDN and Overseas Development Institute (ODI) are collaborating on research on the links between research, policy and practice and to develop simple tools for researchers and policy makers to promote pro-poor, evidence-based policy. Whether, undertaken by academics or practitioners, research has often been ignored, distorted or underused by policy makers. Based on the results of a wide-ranging literature review, the GDN and ODI have developed an integrated framework based on three fundamental hypotheses. They are that research could have a greater impact on policies for poverty reduction if:

• Research findings (a) fit within the political and institutional limits of policy makers, and resonate with their ideological assumptions, or (b) sufficient pressure is exerted to challenge those limits. More...
• Researchers and policy makers use appropriate networks, experts and chains of legitimacy for particular policy areas. More....
• Research outputs are based on local involvement and credible evidence and are communicated via the most appropriate channels, style, format and timing. More....

The hypotheses described in the framework can also be used to guide further research. More....

These pages are taken from Bridging Research and Policy: Context, Evidence and Links. by Emma Crewe and John Young. ODI Working Paper No. 173, 2002, Overseas Development Institute, London, UK.