| | The apparent link between research and policy seems to be a healthy situation, not a problem. Researchers have long complained that decision makers pay too little attention to research. 'Finally they are listening to us' say the academics. In practice, however, that perception is deceptive. First the common view that competent policy makers base their decisions on a careful review of relevant research is simply inaccurate. Second, policy makers who are largely guided by research focused on the issue to be decided do not necessarily make better decisions. The research that is deemed relevant is generally instrumental and relatively narrowly gauged since it takes the existing patterns of economic, political, and social organisations as givens. Third, the conjunction of development assistance and research transforms both research and its role in the policy process, to the detriment of both. |
