Research Policy Development Research Articles

Regular collective dynamics of research collaboration

Research collaboration, a ubiquitous phenomenon marking the increasing stratification of science, is hailed for its intellectual and societal benefits. Being an essential element of the economics of science, it has become a matter of scientific inquiry attracting efforts from fields as different as network analysis and bibliometrics. The studies have provided insights into the local structure of collaboration networks, relations between the team composition and research impact. However, the laws governing research collaboration at the (macro)scale of countries and institutions are yet to be established. In this work, a simple yet unexpectedly accurate logarithmic relation between measures of the research output and self-reliance is demonstrated. Restriction of co-authorship analysis to high-ranking journals suppresses geographical and cultural differences to expose universalities in the international research collaboration. The emerging law holds across research areas; it benchmarks collaboration patterns of research institutions grouped by type or country. The self-organized regularity of the collaboration dynamics manifests an important role of national research systems in globalized science, may have profound implications for research policy development and implementation.

The Utilisation of Social Science Research in Policy Development and Program Review

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OPEN SCIENCE IN UNIVERSITIES: GOALS AND BENEFITS

Open science, based on high standards of transparency, cooperation and communication, is a priority for the development of research policy in the European Research Area (ERA) and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The purpose of the article is to analyse the essence of Open Science, its goals and benefits, as well as the necessary changes for large-scale implementation of Open Science policy in universities. Methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, systematization of scientific works of foreign and domestic scientists and documents of EHEA and ERA are used. Open science is seen as a new approach to the scientific process based on collaboration and new ways of disseminating knowledge through digital technologies and new tools for collaboration. The main goal of Open Science is to improve the exchange, transfer and access to scientific knowledge. The advantages of Open Science are defined as follows: increasing the efficiency of science by reducing duplication and costs of creating, transmitting and reusing data; increasing transparency and quality in the process of confirming the reliability of research results; accelerating the transfer of knowledge, promoting a faster transition from research to innovation; increasing the impact of research results on the economy; a more effective response to global challenges that require coordinated international action; promoting the involvement of citizens in research, active participation in scientific experiments and data collection. It is concluded that Open Science, by maximizing the benefits of the free movement of knowledge, provides a movement towards the fifth freedom in Europe (along with the freedom to move goods, services, persons and capital). The transition to large-scale implementation of Open Science practice in universities requires changes that cover a wide range of academic activities at the institutional level and include: promoting increased knowledge transfer and cooperation between the academic and non-academic sectors; focus on knowledge transfer in the context of digitalization; optimizing the role of universities in research infrastructures.

Research Management and Productivity: Basis for Research Policy Development Plan

This study aimed to determine the level of research management in terms of organizational structure, research guidelines, capability building, credits and incentives, linkages and extension, utilization and dissemination and the research productivity in Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) for the past three years (2015-2018) as basis for the development of the research policy plan. This study employed the descriptive-correlational method using the one-shot survey design. The respondents were the 116 purposively-selected faculty of NIPSC. Data were gathered using the validated and reliable researcher-made survey questionnaires and analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as Frequency Count, Mean, tests, the t-test for Independent Samples, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson-r. The hypotheses of the study were rejected and/or accepted at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the level of research management in NIPSC in terms of organizational structure, research guidelines, capability building, credits and incentives, linkages and extension, utilization and dissemination was very satisfactory. The research productivity was low. Respondents who have conducted more researches have higher research productivity. No significant differences were observed in the research management when classified according to sex and number of researches but high significant differences when classified as to academic rank and marital status. Moreover, no significant differences in the research productivity when the classified according to sex, academic rank, and marital status while high significant difference were observed as to the number of research conducted. The research management was not significantly related to the research productivity. A research policy development plan to increase the research productivity of NIPSC was proposed.

Research Management and Productivity: Basis for Research Policy Development Plan

Research Management and Productivity: Basis for Research Policy Development Plan

A Comparative Analysis of Energy And Health Sector Firm R&D Activity in Wales

Given the current levels and future requirements of R&D in Wales this paper focuses on the Welsh Government (WG) priority areas of energy and health sector firms. In the light of current knowledge of R&D levels it considers: (i) the future requirements of R&D in Wales in terms of economic strategies and industrial trends, and (ii) the specific R&D needs of the energy and health sectors for the development of research policy for Wales. To facilitate this, the research draws on a number of research methods, including secondary data analysis and surveys. It appears that there is a need for selectivity and concentration of resources into those sectors such as energy and health where Wales has a critical mass of research and resources which have the potential for development at a World class level. The current levels of research activity in these areas can be increased if the right R&D decisions are made. In relation to this potential there are certain R&D requirements in these sectors that need to be met. These are reported in the research findings of the study undertaken into the energy and health sectors described in this paper.

Enhancing impact: a model for policy development research

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has sought to increase its policy impact by transitioning from funding ‘policy relevant’ research to a ‘policy development’ research model. This model has been developed and implemented by AHURI over more than a decade in its role as an intermediary between the research and policy communities. The Policy Development Research Model (PDRM) integrates the traditionally separate processes of evidence building and policy development into one set of practices. The cornerstones of the PDRM are; AHURI’s reputation as a trusted advisor, strong engagement with policy officials in setting the annual research agenda, the development of specialized research vehicles that ensure engagement throughout the conduct of research, academic expertise, the quality and rigor of research outputs, and proactive dissemination of research findings through a variety of channels. This article describes how the PDRM enhances policy impact by improving two-way knowledge transfer between academic researchers and policymakers and practitioners. It offers an insight into how AHURI’s active role as an intermediary impacts on housing, homelessness and urban policy in Australia.

Role of Theory and Research in Policy Development in Health Care System

The implementation of actions for health is only possible by adequate policy development. There is a need to review the nature and development of policy in health political science gaze. Therefore, the present study aims to conduct a review on theory and researches to develop adequate policies in health care system. It provides a comprehensive review about the important theories with empirical research evidences for promoting health. The review analysis shows that it is important to understand the theory and approach behind policy development to recognize the incremental nature of aspects involved in policy development. The health political science insights need to be embraced in the light of public health and promotion of health. The present study has provided deep understanding about the structuring and implementation of health policies in health care systems in the light of theory and research.

Why educational research should not just solve problems, but should cause them as well

As we move into the second year of our tenure as editors of the British Educational Research Journal, we offer some reflections on the state of educational research in the UK and beyond, particularly in relation to recent developments in research policy and research practice. We argue that in addition to enhancing the usefulness of educational research, that is, its capacity for solving problems, there is an ongoing need for research that identifies problems and, in that sense, causes problems. This kind of research challenges taken for granted assumptions about what is going on and what should be going on, and speaks back to expectations from policy and practice, not in order to deny such expectations but to engage in an ongoing debate about the legitimacy of such expectations – a debate that crucially should have a public quality and hence should take place in the public domain.

Development and validation of SEER (Seeking, Engaging with and Evaluating Research): a measure of policymakers\u2019 capacity to engage with and use research

BackgroundCapacity building strategies are widely used to increase the use of research in policy development. However, a lack of well-validated measures for policy contexts has hampered efforts to identify priorities for capacity building and to evaluate the impact of strategies. We aimed to address this gap by developing SEER (Seeking, Engaging with and Evaluating Research), a self-report measure of individual policymakers’ capacity to engage with and use research.MethodsWe used the SPIRIT Action Framework to identify pertinent domains and guide development of items for measuring each domain. Scales covered (1) individual capacity to use research (confidence in using research, value placed on research, individual perceptions of the value their organisation places on research, supporting tools and systems), (2) actions taken to engage with research and researchers, and (3) use of research to inform policy (extent and type of research use). A sample of policymakers engaged in health policy development provided data to examine scale reliability (internal consistency, test-retest) and validity (relation to measures of similar concepts, relation to a measure of intention to use research, internal structure of the individual capacity scales).ResultsResponse rates were 55% (150/272 people, 12 agencies) for the validity and internal consistency analyses, and 54% (57/105 people, 9 agencies) for test-retest reliability. The individual capacity scales demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability (alpha coefficients > 0.7, all four scales) and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficients > 0.7 for three scales and 0.59 for fourth scale). Scores on individual capacity scales converged as predicted with measures of similar concepts (moderate correlations of > 0.4), and confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence that the scales measured related but distinct concepts. Items in each of these four scales related as predicted to concepts in the measurement model derived from the SPIRIT Action Framework. Evidence about the reliability and validity of the research engagement actions and research use scales was equivocal.ConclusionsInitial testing of SEER suggests that the four individual capacity scales may be used in policy settings to examine current capacity and identify areas for capacity building. The relation between capacity, research engagement actions and research use requires further investigation.

Can the research community respond adequately to the health risks of vaping?

Vaping of substances, primarily tobacco and cannabis at present, is increasing. The tobacco industry has committed billions of dollars into the development of vaporizing techniques. Can the international public health research community improve the coordination of scientific and timely research for policy development to address vaping?

Research on eight-year medical education program publications

Objective In order to get the research focuses and trend of 8-year medical education program in China, articles on eight-year medical education program published from 2003 to 2014 have been analyzed. Method Using Cochrane Systematic evaluation method, 797 articles have been achieved from CMB, CNKI, WangFang and VIP. These papers were then analyzed with methods of bibliometrics and content analysis. Result The articles on eight-year medical education program are mainly published on 4 journals. The publications focus on 10 domains. The domain of teaching methodology is a hot research topic as 399 articles have discussed this domain. Most articles on teaching methodology focus on PBL, only a few papers discuss other teaching methods. In the 233 study on the curriculum design, only 42 papers have carried on the overall design course study and the researchers have the same opinion on the problems existing in eight-year program medical education curriculum. 19 articles have discussed the goal of eight-year medical education program. The goals of different schools' program are diverse. With the development of policy research, the eight-year medical education program education standards and accreditation are valued. Conclusion In the future, the research priorities should focus on pedagogy theories, the comparison to other nations' medical education system, and education standards of eight-year medical education program. Key words: Eight-year medical education program; Education research; Literature analysis

Down the Line: Assessing the Trajectory of Energy Policy Research Development

In light of the impassioned debate regarding various aspects of global climate change, as well as the demand for reliable energy supply for swift economic recovery and stable economic growth in recent years, contemporary policy research on issues concerning energy and natural resources has gained more traction than at any other time in recent history. In this article, we attempt to characterize the recent trends of such research endeavors while reviewing related articles published in major scholarly journals in public policy and related fields of study between 2010 and early 2014. We found that the subtleties of recent energy policy studies revolve around issues pertaining to nuclear energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and hydraulic fracturing operations, while such studies use diverse theoretical and methodological approaches in analyzing various facets of energy policy process ranging from issue framing and agenda setting, to policy formulation and diffusion, to policy evaluation and feasibility assessment. We conclude this article by discussing future research directions of energy policy issues.

Translating policies into actions: the case of the Elbe River

This paper describes methods and processes to link policy development to the implementation of those policies in actionable implementation plans. It is shown that policies can only be implemented effectively if they are embedded in a legal framework that is designed to facilitate achievement of the policy objectives. The paper shows different levels of policy making and decision support for the development of policies at different levels, ranging from the level of Federal States in Germany to policy development and implementation at the European level as part of the European Framework Directive. Using the Elbe River as a case study, the paper shows the need to anchor regional, transboundary and state level policies to mandated national institutions. A key lesson learnt from the Elbe River Basin is that policy integration is of utmost importance. The paper also demonstrates that a balance needs to be reached with regard to structural and nonstructural measures in flood risk management to arrive at a truly integrated flood risk management strategy and its implementation. The development of research policies on the basis of sound science is indispensable in support of policy development and its implementation.

Narrowing gaps between research and policy development in climate change adaptation work in the water resources and agriculture sectors of Cambodia

Narrowing research and policy, while challenging, is especially important in climate change adaptation work (CCA) due to the high uncertainties involved in planning for climate change. This article aims to seek stakeholders’ opinions regarding how research and policy development can be bridged within the Cambodian water resources and agriculture sectors. The study used institutional ethnography methods with informants from government organizations, local academia, and development partners (DPs). This article identifies a number of challenges, and barriers for narrowing research–policy development gaps, including: limited effectiveness of governmental policies and planning; lack of relevant information required to promote evidence-based planning and policy development; and communication barriers. Evidence-based planning is valued by government officials most when there is actual and effective implementation of policies and plans. In practice, this often implies that governmental policies and plans need be scoped and scaled down to meet the available budget, and thus be achievable. In the long term, it also means building the capacity for policy-relevant research on climate change adaptation within Cambodia. Engaging policy stakeholders in research process for co-producing adaptation knowledge, and introducing knowledge intermediaries are suggested by informants as means to narrowing gaps between research and policy development. The presence of the Cambodia's Prime Minister in research–policy dialogues is recommended as important for attracting the attention of high-level policy makers.Policy relevanceAs a least developed and highly climate-vulnerable country, Cambodia has received climate change funding to implement a number of climate adaptation initiatives. Cambodia is likely to receive more climate change finance in the future. This article aims to assist evidence-based planning, in particular, through policy-relevant research on CCA, so that resources for adaptation in Cambodia are used effectively and efficiently. This research also directly benefits the sustainable development of the country.

政府・地方自治体の政策立案過程における<社会調査>の役割

政府・地方自治体の政策立案過程における<社会調査>の役割

What are the key organisational capabilities that facilitate research use in public health policy?

Literature about research use suggests that certain characteristics or capabilities may make policy agencies more evidence attuned. This study sought to determine policy makers' perceptions of a suite of organisational capabilities identified from the literature as potentially facilitating research uptake in policy decision making. A literature scan identified eight key organisational capabilities that support research use in policy making. To determine whether these capabilities were relevant, practical and applicable in real world policy settings, nine Australian health policy makers were consulted in September 2011. We used an open-ended questionnaire asking what facilitates the use of research in policy and program decision making, followed by specific questions rating the proposed capabilities. Interviews were transcribed and the content analysed. There was general agreement that the capabilities identified from the literature were relevant to real world contexts. However, interviewees varied in whether they could provide examples of experiences with the capabilities, how essential they considered the different capabilities to be and how difficult they considered the capabilities were to achieve. Efforts to improve the use of research in policy decision making are likely to benefit from targeting multiple organisational capabilities, including staff skills and competence, tools such as templates and checklists to aid evidence use and leadership support for the use of research in policy development. However, such efforts should be guided by an understanding of how policy agencies use evidence and how they view their roles, and external factors such as resource constraints and availability of appropriate research.

Identifying international research cooperation capabilities in information and communication technologies

This paper presents a methodological approach to the identification of potential priority areas to support the creation of policies for research cooperation. The analysis of national research capabilities is an important prerequisite in the development of research policies, in particular for developing strategies for international collaboration. In the past, the identification of a country’s research capabilities was often based on only a few indicators. Here a methodology is presented that takes a broad view of a country’s research and technology base and applies it to Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The methodology for the identification of research capabilities is based on a multi-dimensional approach that takes into account existing information and communication technologies research and technology development groups based on their size and quality, the interests of the researchers based on interviews and national industry characteristics to identify the economic collaboration potential in thematic areas.

Strategies to promote better research on oral health in Africa: A Delphi consensus study.

Background:Research on oral health contributes to improved health outcomes; it is an indispensable tool in health policy. But how to fill the gaps in research oral health and to strengthen its capacity is the question. The main objective of the present study is to identify the current status of oral health research and potential strategies, thereby strengthening the research infrastructure and capacity. Delphi consultation, in the perspective of assisting decision-makers to identify strategies to promote better research on oral health in Africa, was initiated.Design and Methods:The panels of 30 experts were asked to complete the questionnaire with 42 items into four groups by web survey. Each indicator statement was considered to be in consensus if the expert's opinion rating was of “A or B” for more than 75% in a scale of seven categories. Quantitative analysis was made from the answers of Delphi round.Results:There was a strong consensus about three items concerning the role of oral health research, the development of research policy for oral health going through an effective governance of research institutes, migration of researchers and fund raising.Conclusion:This study shows strong many dispersal opinions by experts, but highlights the need for to improve the effectiveness of oral health research capacity strengthening activities. Africa's researchers, policy makers and partners will have to give special attention to ensuring that knowledge generated from oral health research is acted on to improve health for all.

Climate change adaptation: Is there a role for intervention research?

While climate change will expose regions to similar impacts, the extent of those impacts and effective response at the local level will be determined not only by the location's sensitivity and vulnerability but also by local groups and individuals’ capacity, including their institutional links, social networks and motivation to action. In parallel, scientific information and research plays a critical role in informing climate change adaptation by providing both an improved understanding of the actual climate risks and response alternatives.The paper focuses on two local-scale intervention research projects undertaken in urbanised coastal areas in Brazil and in Australia concentrated on improving the dialogue between ‘those who make science’ and ‘those who use science to make decisions’ in order to make climate science more useful, and creating purposeful collective action, respectively. A conceptual model is devised to investigate how intervention research could aid adaptive capacity by generating new knowledge and facilitating change towards climate change adaptation at the local level. Drawing on the findings, a framework is proposed to advance the role of intervention research in policy development for enhancing adaptive capacity.