Abstract
BackgroundThere is a need to develop innovations that help policymakers better engage with research in order to increase its use in policymaking. As part of the Centre for Informing Policy in Health with Evidence from Research (CIPHER), we established Web CIPHER, an online tool with dynamic interactive elements such as hot topics, research summaries, blogs from trusted figures in health policy and research, a community bulletin board, multimedia section and research portal. The aim of this study was to examine policymakers’ use of the website, and determine which sections were key drivers of use.MethodsGoogle Analytics (GA) was used to gather usage data during a 16-month period. Analysis was restricted to Web CIPHER members from policy agencies. We examined descriptive statistics including mean viewing times, number of page visits and bounce rates for each section and performed analyses of variance to compare usage between sections. Repeated measures analyses were undertaken to examine whether a weekly reminder email improved usage of Web CIPHER, particularly for research-related content.ResultsDuring the measurement period, 223 policymakers from more than 32 organisations joined Web CIPHER. Users viewed eight posts on average per visit and stayed on the site for approximately 4 min. The bounce rate was less than 6%. The Blogs and Community sections received more unique views than all other sections. Blogs relating to improving policymakers’ skills in applying research to policy were particularly popular. The email reminder had a positive effect on improving usage, particularly for research-related posts.ConclusionsThe data indicated a relatively small number of users. However, this sample may not be representative of policymakers since membership to the site and usage was completely voluntarily. Nonetheless, those who used the site appeared to engage well with it. The findings suggest that providing blog-type content written by trusted experts in health policy and research as well as regular email reminders may provide an effective means of disseminating the latest research to policymakers through an online web portal.
Highlights
There is a need to develop innovations that help policymakers better engage with research in order to increase its use in policymaking
Users held a diverse range of positions within their organisations, the most commonly reported were directors or deputy/assistant directors (13%), managers (24%), project officers/coordinators (17%), policy officers, advisors, or analysts (12%) and research officers/fellows (7.6%)
Usage of Web CIPHER sections Main sections Descriptive statistics Data revealed that for the 272 Research updates posts on Web CIPHER, each received an average of five unique post views, an average viewing time of 33 s and a bounce rate of less than 1%
Summary
There is a need to develop innovations that help policymakers better engage with research in order to increase its use in policymaking. It is likely that web-based Knowledge Platforms could be used to overcome some barriers to EIHP, notably difficulties in accessing and disseminating up-to-date, credible and relevant research information to policymakers [31,36]. Web CIPHER (http:// www.cipher.org.au) was established by the centre as an online resource to help health decision makers better use, access and engage with research in their work, based on evidence that suggests internet channels can play a role in this [39,40]. Web CIPHER, like other Knowledge Platforms, uses web/email technology to provide users with an efficient means of accessing and delivering comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding health research and policy. Web CIPHER provides a forum where policymakers and researchers can interact to share knowledge and build on each other’s capacities [35]
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