Policyforskning

Policyforskning, or policy research, is the systematic study of public policy problems, their design, implementation, and outcomes. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on political science, economics, public administration, sociology, and related fields. Researchers analyze how policies are formulated, which actors influence them, how policy instruments are deployed, and what effects they produce for different groups and resources.

Questions commonly addressed include whether policies solve the intended problems, what trade-offs and distributional effects occur, how implementation contexts affect results, and how policy designs could be improved. Methods range from qualitative case studies and process tracing to quantitative evaluations, including quasi-experimental designs, randomized trials, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, and program evaluations. Policy briefs, dashboards, and other knowledge translation tools help transfer findings to decision-makers and practitioners.

Policyforskning occurs in universities, research institutes, think tanks, government agencies, and international organizations, especially in Nordic countries and Europe. It aims to support evidence-based policy making, accountability, and learning within the policy cycle, rather than advocacy or partisan debate.

Challenges include access to high-quality administrative data, political sensitivities, translating complex results into actionable advice, and timing constraints that align with policy processes.