Leaping the Abyss

The Problematic Translation of Social Research Results into Policy Recommendations

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2392378
AutoresSeweryn Rudnicki (0000-0002-6443-3492, AGH University, Poland; University of Gothenburg, Sweden), Katarzyna Wojnicka (0000-0002-5175-7105, University of Gothenburg, autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume29
Fascículo4
Páginas1077-1088
Data de publicação2024-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Research Online (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1360-7804 • E-ISSN: 1360-7804
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13607804241228688
OpenAlexW4392587151
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas31

This article argues that translating social research findings into policy recommendations may pose a significant methodological and practical challenge. Due to the current emphasis on the 'third mission' of universities and the 'relevance' of scientific knowledge, it has become more common for sociologists to engage in projects that include the development of social-research-based recommendations. This article analyses empirically an example of such a project - an extensive, European Commission-funded study about the role of men in gender equality in Europe - and shows that developing recommendations may receive lower priority than producing findings, be unguided by any specific method or approach, and operate within an 'aura of evidence' rather than a 'hierarchy of evidence'. Discouraging an all-too-easy criticism, this article argues for more reflection, frameworks, and methods that could support sociologists in the development of research-based guidelines for policies

Political science · Sociology · Community Health and Development · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Gender Studies · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics