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To conclude, the links between research and policy are influenced by factors in the decision-making context, by the characteristics of the research itself, and by the interactions between researchers and decision-makers.
This review has tried to highlight the main issues that need to be considered in planning effective research interventions. Although a complex task, I believe that research on this issue does reveal some of the crucial ingredients of success in undertaking it. Which leads to the final issue that needs to be addressed: what incentives are there for researchers to get involved in interactions with decision-makers.
Elsewhere, I have reported that many researchers indicate that 'Interactive research is not the 'norm'. Despite the demand for research that serves social needs, interactive researchers have to survive in systems that are not organised to encourage this form of research. Although interaction with non-academic research partners can enhance research quality, researchers often need to be entrepreneurial to make it happen' (Scott, Skea et al. 1999).
This part of the equation has not been well researched. We know little about researchers' motivations in interacting with decision-makers and the institutional circumstances that can help bring it about (Lopez-Martinez, Medellin et al. 1994; Mayntz and Schimank 1998). The factors that encourage or inhibit researchers in their interactions with decision-makers are likely to found at four levels: personal, institutional, disciplinary, and related to funding sources. I bring together some of the existing evidence on each of these elsewhere (Scott 2001b).
Although many of the current reward systems in science do not encourage interactive styles of research, this situation seems to be changing and, as noted, entrepreneurial and motivated researchers do seem to find ways of achieving interactive research despite the current disincentives.
I hope that this short review has contributed something to your thinking and practice in this important area. I would welcome your feedback, reports of experiences, and information about written contributions.
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