Economic and social evidence for policy, programmes and inclusive development.
For governments, local authorities, development finance institutions, multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations, NGOs and international research partners.
Policy choices often involve competing objectives, uneven evidence and constrained public resources. Decision-makers need to understand who is affected, how institutions influence implementation and what different options imply for expenditure, revenues and outcomes before committing to a particular course of action.
Decision: What does the evidence reveal about the policy problem and its underlying drivers?
Explore the researchReporting can become an exercise in counting activities without establishing whether a programme is reaching intended groups or delivering meaningful results. Inconsistent indicators and incomplete data make it difficult to diagnose problems, compare progress or decide what should change during implementation.
Decision: Is the programme being delivered as intended and reaching the intended participants?
Explore the researchOutcomes may change because of economic conditions, participant selection or other interventions as well as the programme itself. Clients need an evaluation approach that addresses these explanations and makes clear whether the evidence supports attribution, contribution or a more limited assessment of outcomes.
Decision: What difference did the intervention make relative to a credible comparison?
Explore the researchBroad population averages can hide exclusion, insecure livelihoods and differences in access to services or opportunities. Decision-makers need evidence on who is being reached, which needs remain unmet and how programme design or delivery may create unintended barriers for particular groups.
Decision: Which households or groups face the greatest economic vulnerability and access barriers?
Explore the researchChanges in weather, prices, input access and market conditions can affect producers and households in different ways. Decision-makers need to understand constraints across the value chain, distinguish seasonal patterns from persistent problems and assess how proposed responses relate to food security and livelihoods.
Decision: What constrains agricultural production, market participation and rural livelihoods?
Explore the researchService availability does not necessarily translate into equitable access or effective delivery. Policymakers and programme managers need to understand financial, geographic and social barriers, assess resource implications and interpret differences in service use before choosing how to improve or expand an intervention.
Decision: What needs and barriers influence access to relevant health or human-development services?
Explore the researchHow do food access, affordability, diet quality and seasonal shocks affect the population? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Which groups face the greatest access and affordability constraints?
Explore the researchWhich employment and livelihood constraints limit household resilience and enterprise growth? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Which skills and occupations are employers seeking?
Explore the researchWho is excluded from an opportunity, service or programme, and why? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Who participates and who is left out?
Explore the researchHow do climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity affect an investment or livelihood? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Which assets, activities and groups are most exposed?
Explore the researchWhich institutional arrangements support effective implementation and public service delivery? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Where do responsibilities, incentives or resources impede delivery?
Explore the researchHow can public resources be allocated and used more effectively? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.
Decision: Who benefits from public expenditure?
Explore the researchDefine the decision, intended users and evidence gap.
Agree methods, sampling, indicators and analytical plan.
Combine credible existing sources with primary research.
Apply market, statistical, financial and economic methods.
Triangulate evidence and test assumptions and scenarios.
Explain findings, uncertainty and their implications.
Compare options and identify implementation priorities.
Present outputs and support agreed follow-up.
Discuss the questions, methods, expertise, timeframe and deliverables your decision needs.
