105Innovative technology for a dynamic world B O O K O F A B S T R A C T S , 2 0 1 9 The Relevance of Research to Policy Decision-Making, Formulation and Implementation

Abstract

This paper puts the relevance of research into perspective in the policy-making, formulation and implementation context. It points out that there are differing

policy goals to sustainable development and the use of research might be vital

for one element. Although the debate on the use of research results for policy

decision-making and implementation processes is not new and its features have

changed over time, the issue has gained greater prominence in recent decades

following the major processes of world change that increasingly call for concrete

evidence to support or challenge the innovations that are implemented in a variety

of contexts, including legislative policies and systems. Viable and appropriate

policies are necessary for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.

Policies are made by policy makers the persons bestowed with the power, either

by citizens or a group of people in a society, to make decisions. However, research

should provide an important input in policy decision making, formulation and

implementation. It shouldn’t be taken for granted that the relationship between

research and policy is straightforward, with good research, policy design will tend

to be more relevant and their results are likely to deliverer the desired impact in the

country. Why is it that more often policy making isn’t research based? This paper

responds to the question raised by those who wonder how better use can we make

out of research in the policy-making, formulation and implementation process?

The findings point to significant gaps in the research to policy to practice pathway,

particularly in achieving sustainable development in developing countries with a

focus on policy research. A considerable part of this thinking addresses the problem

from a more traditional perspective, which regards research results as depicts the

decision-making process simplistically and linearly, and thus restricts strategies to

the suiting of the research.