Doing Policy Research
UA800: Research Methods & Data Analysis
Danilo Yanich
Center for Community Research & Service
School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
File: 800\2004\Mtg15\DoingPolicyResearch
Definition of policy research
A mixture of science, craftlore, and art (Peter Rossi)
science is the body of theory, concepts, and methodological principles
craftlore, the set of workable techniques, rules of thumb, and standard operating procedures
art, the pace, style, and the manner in which one works
Definition of policy research, p.2
The process of conducting research on, or analysis of, a fundamental social problem…
…in order to provide policymakers with pragmatic, action-oriented recommendations for alleviating the problem
Although there are several types of research processes to alleviate social problems, policy research is…
unique in focusing on…
action-oriented recommendation to…
fundamental social problems
Defining characteristics of policy research
Originates in the world of action

Results are destined for the world of action
Properties of the world of action
Time constraints
Language and concepts are different from those of discipline
Properties of the world of action, p.2
Interest, control of resources, conflict
Set of parties who control resources in an on-going system that involves conflict
Researcher is outside of system...but...
Research problem comes from the system...and...
Research results are injected back into the system...
Results in adding to the resources of certain parties & diminishing those of others...
In short, a political system---power structure will change based on the research results
While research results will have been arrived at by a procedure that is neutral to these interests, their results are not neutral in their impact on the world of action

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