Hello there! Have you ever wondered how politicians - who are expected to be well versed in everything - from politics to economics to the environment, get their information?
To get an in-depth contextual look at issues, politicians and others look to think tanks to mobilize expertise, put forward evidence, and serve as essential catalysts for ideas and action.
The President of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Rohinton Medhora once said that "The litmus test of a good think tank, was not whether it was right, left, liberal or not, but whether it was proposing evidence-based discussions."
And so in today's Infosphere deep dive, we take a look at what it takes to formulate evidence-based proposals on matters regarding global governance in this age of infobesity.
🔎 What Think Tanks Do
They are public-policy research analysis and engagement organizations that generate policy-oriented research, analysis and advice on domestic and international issues, thereby enabling policymakers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy.
They often act as a bridge between the academic and policy-making communities and between states and civil society, serving in the public interest as an independent voice that translates applied and basic research into a language that is understandable, reliable and accessible for policymakers and the public.
Think tanks are usually goal-oriented around a shared focus like Public policy, Foreign Policy, economic development etc.
💡 Margaret Thatcher is said to have relied on the Adam Smith Institute and the Institute of Economic Affairs when she set out to privatize large swaths of the British economy.
📈 An Overview
Think tanks may be affiliated or independent institutions that are structured as permanent bodies, not ad-hoc commissions.
Over 51 percent of all think tanks are in North America and Europe.
The number of think tanks in the United States has more than doubled since 1980.
The rate of establishment of think tanks has declined over the last 12 years in the United States and Europe.
Think tanks started growing in the 20th century due to an Information and technological revolution, the end of national governments’ monopoly on information, and the increasing complexity and technical nature of policy problems.
They have a huge responsibility as policymakers to not be steered by ideology or partisan interests, but simply and plainly by high-quality evidence showing “what works”. Hence they need curators, arbiters, or filters to help them decide which information, data, and policy expertise to use in their decision-making processes.
They also act as information brokers and serve as credible sources of information by hosting expert facts and advice. They can also direct the public to the best expert information sources by helping to translate expert findings and fact-based recommendations at national and community levels, thus responding to local needs and concerns.
📉 Credibility Issues
Fake news, fake think tanks, bad and fake research abound. Think tanks are being impacted by a loss of faith in experts, information pollution and information overload.
Recent allegations and evidence about bad research have impacted scientific credibility. If scientists can be wrong, use flawed methods or data, and even alter methods or results to suit the wishes of powerful donors, then credibility is truly at risk.
In the case of think tanks, accusations (and evidence) of lack of transparency are at the forefront, as are unreported conflicts of interests that might influence their research and advice.
💡 In August 2017, the New America Foundation fired a researcher who had criticized Google (one of its funders). The think tank received criticism for the action, for how they handled the crisis, and for the lack of intellectual independence it showed.
📰 Challenges in Research for Evidence Based Policies
Quality data does not by itself ensure sound decision-making as established democracies illustrate, but it offers political actors a better opportunity to anchor debate constructively.
In many countries, there remains a pressing need for basic data that tells governments how citizens are doing. Providing data is typically the task of the National Statistics Departments. Yet in many countries, these agencies are weak and under-resourced.
Even where the data is good, Statistics Departments are unlikely to highlight findings that put the government into an unfavorable position as they rely on the government for funding. Given these constraints, many people don’t trust official data.
Too many studies are poorly designed. Funding (dis)incentives and poor researcher competency in developing countries are to blame.
Demand for impact (to promise and demonstrate it) means that researchers are increasingly designing research projects almost entirely driven by the expected result.
Even highly respected think tanks do not have a peer review policy, which is essential to address the quality of their work.
Too much research is behind paywalls - This affects the capacity of policy researchers -and think tanks in particular- to use the latest research and the best resourced sources to inform their own studies.
🗞️ Measure to Ensure Quality Research
Think tanks like CRRC collect the data themselves, which gives them confidence in its quality, and more expertise in the nuances of survey implementation.
Contracting data generation - The Pew Research Centers hires highly respected survey firms with broad international reach, giving Pew the freedom to focus on conceptualizing research, analyzing, and then communicating findings through a range of attractive channels.
Secondary data analysis is also an attractive option since there is so much information available. It provides think tanks an excellent opportunity to showcase their analytical skills, and generate clarity where previously there had been contradiction.
Efforts to open up academic publishing are gaining momentum and helping think tanks get access to the latest research to inform their studies.. In the meantime, partnerships with universities and support from funders (e.g. IDRC offers its grantees access to journal databases during the duration of the grant), also helps.
Micro-simulation models such as that of the Urban Brooking Tax Policy Center allow researchers to test “what if” on thousands of variations of a policy proposal, instead of for two to three, as has been common practice due to the time intensity of such pursuits. This allows for a higher quality of decision making, which is a crucial capability within a time of increased information flows and disruptive technology.
James G. McGann - Professor and Director Global Research Program at the University Of Pennsylvania.
Andrea Ordóñez Llanos - Director at Southern Voice, an initiative to bring research from think tanks in the global south to the post-2015 development debate, hosted by the Center for Policy Dialogue in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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