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Adding value through policy-oriented research: reflections of a scholar-practitioner

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  • Timmer, C. Peter

Abstract

Any evaluation of the benefits of policy-oriented social science research faces fundamental difficulties. These include the uncertainty in determining a causal link between research and the outcome of a policy or the value of a policy outcome. Nonetheless, firm connections can be established between policy research and policy outcomes if there are strong links that bridge the gaps between social science research and the various parts of the policy process. These connections can be established often enough to make it possible to learn about the relationship between research and outcome and the key variables that affect the social profitability of the underlying research. This essay uses the author's experience with agricultural price policies in Asia, Indonesia in particular, to examine these connections. Four issues pervade the analysis of price policy in Asia: How does an analyst know what policy is best? How can an analyst best communicate the results of research to policymakers? Can a new policy be implemented? Does the new policy work? This last issue, the evaluation of policy, is often neglected, but it can provide an important input into the design of policy and should be made an integral part of any policy process. The author's experience in Indonesia suggests four factors that can make policy-oriented research successful. First, the analyst should be involved with the same policymakers or in the same policy setting for the long term. Second, there is a need to find a balance between keeping analysis and advice confidential and the ultimate publication of the key models and results. Third, the analysts should rely on the analytical paradigms of the mainstream of the economic profession even while examining deviations from their underlying assumptions. Lastly, there should be continuing demand from policymakers for problem-oriented analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Timmer, C. Peter, 1998. "Adding value through policy-oriented research: reflections of a scholar-practitioner," Impact assessments 4, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
  • Handle: RePEc:fpr:impass:4
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leon A. Mears & Saleh Afiff, 1969. "An Operational Rice Price Policy For Indonesia," Economics and Finance in Indonesia, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, vol. 17, pages 3-13.
    2. Timmer, C. Peter, 1974. "A Model of Rice Marketing Margins in Indonesia," Food Research Institute Studies, Stanford University, Food Research Institute, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24.
    3. Stiglitz, Joseph E, 1987. "Some Theoretical Aspects of Agricultural Policies," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 2(1), pages 43-60, January.
    4. Alain de Janvry & Elisabeth Sadoulet, 1987. "Agricultural Price Policy in General Equilibrium Models: Results and Comparisons," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 69(2), pages 230-246.
    5. Braverman, Avishay & Hammer, Jeffrey S & Gron, Anne, 1987. "Multimarket Analysis of Agricultural Price Policies in an Operational Context: The Case of Cyprus," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 1(2), pages 337-356, January.
    6. Sahn, David E. & Dorosh, Paul & Younger, Stephen, 1996. "Exchange rate, fiscal and agricultural policies in Africa: Does adjustment hurt the poor?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 719-747, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ryan, Jim, 2002. "Assessing the impact of food policy research: rice trade policies in Viet Nam," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 1-29, February.
    2. Cam Caldwell & Nikolina Ljepava & Verl Anderson, 2020. "The Newspaper, the Mirror, and the Kaleidoscope–Three Assets in Teaching and Writing," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(4), pages 1-28, December.
    3. Ryan, James G., 1999. "Assessing the impact of rice policy changes in Viet Nam and the contribution of policy research," Impact assessments 8, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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