Research in Public Policy - Essay Example

RESEARCH IN PUBLIC POLICY INTRODUCTION Research to some people is a very technical word. It is often misconstrued as an activity that is only doneby scientists and laboratory experts. But in reality research is an activity that is done by almost everyone regardless of their careers, jobs, or position in life. Making decisions about almost everything is part of doing research. A person acts as a researcher when s/he makes practical decision in his/her daily life. For example, when s/he goes to work, does s/he take the cab or take the train This question can be answered by two ways or methods. The first can be an assessment of the situation based on scientific method of investigation. The second method can be based on observation wherein the person does not make use of systematic process to make a generalization. In real life, there are other ways to find solutions to problems. Sometimes, even gut feel or intuition is used as a method in finding answers to queries. In some areas in the east, people rely on the wisdom of old people to answer most of the complex problems in life. DEFINING RESEARCH What is research then really all about Below is a list of some of its definition: "systematic investigation to establish facts" http://www.wordreference.com/definition/research; "a search for knowledge" http://dict.die.net/research; Investigation into how things work and how they can be manipulated.; http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-R/research.html Webster's dictionary (1939) defined research as "diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles." To summarize the above definitions, research then is a method of inquiry for the purpose of obtaining facts in response to questions raised (Bautista, 1998). Bautista further added that research differs from other modes of knowing in the sensed that it is a systematic process of gaining information or knowledge. It is more that intuition, gut feel or tradition. Bautista (1998) enumerated the characteristics of research: 1) It is systematic. Research proceeds through a series of steps and stages and follows a logical flow. 2) It is accurate. The method or research emphasizes the importance of correspondence between what is observed and what has actually occurred. 3) It is precise. Research usually aims at estimating the exact count of the event that has occurred or may yet occur. Statistics are helpful since the thrust is to quantify the incidence of the event being observed. However, there are instances when accuracy is not possible, especially if the objective of the research is mainly to characterize what is happening and not really to determine the frequency of the event. 4) Observations are recorded. Research necessitates the documentation of observations with the aid of instruments such as questionnaires, tape recorders for interviews, and many more. 5) Observation follows the rule of objectivity. Observations must not be influenced by personal preferences, prejudices, biases, attitudes, and feelings. 6) Observations are usually undertaken under controlled conditions. Researchers aspire to eliminate other factors or variables that might intrude into the observation of the major factors of variables that are being investigated. PURPOSES AND USES OF RESEARCH Any research, if correctly designed and undertaken, will build knowledge because it represents an objective investigation of facts about a certain subject (http://www.ryerson.ca/mjoppe/ResearchProcess/WhyConductResearch.htm). Research gathers facts that help people such as policy makers make decisions. A research becomes significant when it is used to show the interrelatedness of a variety of concepts and not simply describes how events take place. Research then is both fact-finding and theory building. According to Cresswell (994), "a theory is an interrelated set of constructs (or variables) formed into propositions or hypotheses that specify the relationship among variables (typically in terms of magnitude or direction). The systematic view might be an argument, a discussion, or a rationale that helps explain (or predict) phenomena that occur in the world." According to Goode and Hatt (1952), facts lead to the formulation of a theory. A theory is based on facts, or information on why events happen. For example, an explanation of why there is an increasing case of pregnant teenagers cannot be made if there are no data to show why it happens. They further added that facts lead to the reformulation or rejection of theory. Facts make us reconsider an existing theory. Furthermore, facts also clarify theory. GENERAL APPROACHES TO RESEARCH Research approach provides specific direction to how a particular research will be conducted. An approach is one's general perspective of thrust in raising questions and defining methodologies for gathering data (Bautista, 1994). According to Creswell (2003), research approaches have multiplied in the past two decades. He discussed three research approaches that are frequently used in the social sciences: 1) Quantitative Approach - One in which the investigator primarily uses postpositivist claims for developing knowledge. This include experimental designs and non-experimental designs such as surveys; 2) Qualitative Approach - One in which the inquirer often makes knowledge claims based primarily on constructivist or advocacy/participatory perspectives. This include narratives, phenomenologies, ethnographies, grounded theory, and case studies; 3) Mixed Method - One in which the researcher tends to base knowledge claims on pragmatic grounds. This include sequential, concurrent, and transformative strategies. PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH Public policy is a policy or set of policies which forms the foundation of public law. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_policy). "The field of public policy involves the study of specific policy problems and governmental responses to them. Political scientists involved in the study of public policy attempt to devise solutions for problems of public concern. They study issues such as health care, pollution, and the economy. Public policy overlaps comparative politics in the study of comparative public policy; with international relations in the study of foreign policy and national security policy; and with political theory in considering ethics in policy making" (Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003). Public policies then are the tangible manifestations of government actions and decisions. They are sets of plans and directions for government operations. Policies, just like research, include a series of procedures, processes, rules, modes or ways for the conduct of government. According to Colebatch (2002), policy is first of all concerned with order. The major source of difficulty here is the problem of consistency between different policy fields. For example the policy on environment conservation may clash with policy on housing or land use. Second, policy rests on authority. Policies are legitimized by authority and policy questions flow to and from authority. Third, policy implies expertise. Policies are interrelated with to some identified field of practice, and this implies knowledge, both of the problem area and the course of action. In this context, it is safe to say that for all these attributes to be met, research will play an important role in public policy. It is through research that goals, course of action, implementation, and evaluation of public policies will be properly executed. Research is important in the public policy process. Colebatch (2002) enumerated the successive stages of policy process: 1) Determining goals. Authorized leaders determine the objectives they wish to achieve. 2) Choosing courses of action. Authorized leaders select the course of action which they think will realize the goals that have been set. 3) Implementing the courses of action. Authorized leaders will select people to carry out the courses of action that have been chosen. 4) Evaluating the results. The outcome of the implementation of the decision will then be evaluated: "was the decision thoroughly and economically put into effect" (efficiency evaluation), and 'did the implementation of the decision have the expected impact n the problem to which the policy decision was addressed' (effectiveness evaluation). 5) Modifying the policy. Based on the evaluation, the policy may then be amended. Conducting research for the use of policy makers basically involves studying policy options and their implications. It involves validation of a problem that policy makers think may require policy intervention. Past and current policies then need to be studied in order to better understand the problem and find possible solutions to respond to the problem. For example, the traffic jams in major cities motivate traffic management groups to introduce new policies that will respond to the problem. The policy question could be: What are the implication of this policy in resolving the traffic situation in major cities Researches are undertaken to help policy makers make a decision toward the issuance of a policy directive or statement (Bautista, 1994).. According to Bautista, the researcher will have both an empirical and normative in the conduct of policy research. His/her empirical role involves investigation of the implication of various policy options. While a normative role may mean proceeding to define what option can be accepted given the data on positive and negative consequence of the polity alternatives studied. Bautista further added that even prior to the conduct of research, the researcher must deal with normative issues like what standards will be used in the assessment of the various options For example, in dealing with traffic jams, the policy options could be road widening, re-routing, and car pooling. CONCLUSION Decisions are made by policy makers everyday. These decisions have great impact on the lives of many people. A singe policy decision can change drastically the way people live. Thus, it is important for policies to be carefully planned and implemented. Research definitely play an important part in the policy making process. It provides a systematic way of formulating conclusions or recommendations regarding policy potions. Public policy provides direction to where a nation is going. Research serves as a compass to the policy makers in steering the country to its intended direction. http://www.alleydog.com/101notes/methods.html http://www.wordreference.com/definition/research; http://dict.die.net/research; http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-R/research.html (http://www.ryerson.ca/mjoppe/ResearchProcess/WhyConductResearch.htm). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_policy Bautista, V. 1998. Research and Public Management. UP Open University, Philippines Colebatch, H. 2002. Concepts in the Social Sciences. Policy. 2nd ed. Open University Press. Philadelphia Cresswell, J. 1994. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications Cresswell, J.2003. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 2ND ed. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications Goode, W. and Hatt P. 1952. Methods in Social Research. Tokyo, Japan: MC-Graw-Hill Kogakusha. Guru, Nasroden Webster's 20th Century Dictionary of English Language, new York Guild Inc, 1939 Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 Read More