Abstract from introduction

Understanding causal influence is difficult in the best of circumstances for any activity: it is an especially complex task to assess the impact and role of research on public policymaking. Such assessments are difficult, first, because of the intrinsic nature of research and related activities, and, second, because the goal is to achieve influence in dynamic processes with a multiplicity of actors. The challenge is even greater when one asks such questions about the impact of research in Southern contexts, since most of the precepts developed for analyzing research utilization and policy-making processes more generally have come from Northern scholars addressing issues in their home jurisdictions.

Keywords: Policy influence, research, policy briefs, impact of research