The Communication of the Results of Operational Research to the Makers of Policy

Abstract

MICHAEL Faraday said that there were three steps in useful research; the first to begin it, the second to end it and the third to publish it. In operational research I suggest that to publish it is not nearly enough. In the broadest possible sense of the word we have to communicate it. The aim must be to get the results and conclusions studied, respected, understood and fully considered in the formulation of policy. I suggest that the success of operational research must in the end be judged by the influence that it has upon the making of sound policy. If this is true it is very important indeed because it means that the duty of all operational research workers is not only to use scientific methods to analyse a situation or to deduce a most suitable line of policy. In subtle ways they must also use every part of their work to influence the making of policy without treading on the toes of those responsible for it. Some scientists may regard this as unethical, but what is the use of their work unless they take all permissible steps to make it effective? In this approach lies the philosophy behind this paper. It is one of the reasons why operational research is so fascinating and is the main reason why I consider operational research to be quite as much an art as it is a science.