Conducting Research That Informs Policy and Practice

Research advances knowledge in many important ways. Some studies contribute foundational insights, deepen theoretical understanding, or open new avenues of scientific inquiry. Other studies may influence how programs are implemented, how resources are allocated, or how policies are developed. What distinguishes research that shapes real-world decisions from research that is primarily designed to advance scientific understanding? David Yokum draws on his own recent empirical research and more than a decade of experience inside federal, state, and local governments (most recently as North Carolina’s chief scientist) to explore the anatomy of research that has an impact on policy and practice. This session will discuss practical guidance on choosing questions decision-makers are asking, designing studies to be usable from the start, building durable partnerships with agencies, running evaluations inside active programs, sharing results in ways they can be acted on, and maintaining rigor in political settings.

Accessibility

Auto-captioning will be enabled, and you will be able to access a transcript of the recording 2 to 3 weeks after the webinar.