This paper develops a novel approach called Outcome Trajectory Evaluation (OTE) in response to the long-causal-chain problem confronting the evaluation of research for development (R4D) projects. OTE strives to tackle four issues resulting from the common practice of evaluating R4D projects based on theory of change developed at the start. The…

In this brief, we discuss embedding and framing the evolving literatures related to improvement and implementation sciences into a general intervention perspective. From that perspective, we sketch out some basic considerations related to improvement and implementation research, practice, and policy.

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a widely adopted non-parametric technique for evaluating R&D performance. However, traditional DEA models often struggle to provide reliable solutions in the presence of data uncertainty. To address this limitation, this study develops a novel robust super-efficiency DEA approach to evaluate R&D…

The purpose of our contribution is to discuss shortcomings of purely descriptive quantitative evaluation of research policies -- based either on inputs (public investment, number of researchers), or outputs (publications, EU grants, number of patents). To give an example, we compare selected indicators across Visegrad countries in the period…

The purpose of this research was to employ the Research and Development (R&D) methodology to produce an educational innovation, called "Online Self-Training Program for Empowering Teachers' Learning to Develop Students' Design Thinking Skills", expected to be widely used among the schools that are the target population in…

Universities of applied sciences (UAS) have a strong mandate to carry out research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in collaboration with local stakeholders. Geographical proximity is one of the key factors for the creation and success of RDI activities because of the positive balance between costs and benefits of local knowledge…

This report describes a research-practice partnership project between researchers and a group of Years 7 and 8 teachers from schools serving diverse communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. The schools represented in the study were demographically and geographically diverse and served urban, mixed, and rural communities in the North and South…

Most agricultural research organizations strive to address societal challenges and contribute to positive societal impacts. Fulfilling this ambition involves embedding a culture of impact in organizational culture, which, in our view, entails three main elements: understanding the role of the research community in contributing to impacts over the…

This paper presents a rationale for using professional and continuing education (PaCE) units at post-secondary institutions throughout California to design and implement talent-pipelines, research and development collaborations, and other knowledge ecosystems where emerging and returning professionals can acquire the knowledge, skills, and…

This article analyzes the intersection between neo-liberal educational reforms and educational technology in the Israeli education system, through a study of the policy work of an edtech research and development unit in Israel named MindCET, which operates a startup accelerator and other activities and programs. Based on ethnographic research from…

Start-up incubators are one of a number of micropolicy interventions used by states to support their technology entrepreneurs. Since 2000, the number of incubators in the United States has almost trebled while that in Europe has more than doubled. This article outlines the challenges involved in attempting to evaluate the contribution of the…

This Educational Leadership Portfolio (ELP) investigates how university staff can contribute to high-quality professional learning in K-12 public schools. The current shortcomings of most professional learning are well documented in research and policy, and in the lived experiences of teachers and administrators. There is an urgent need to…

In the United States, higher education institutions assess the impact of program- level educational experiences through the process of program-level student learning outcomes assessment. The final step of the assessment cycle is to use assessment interpretations to make changes to educational programming. Nevertheless, few programs can demonstrate…

This dissertation offers a collection of works examining team-based approaches to functional assessment-based interventions (FABIs) in schools, with an emphasis on practice-based professional development. Across chapters, we offer (a) a statement of the problem (Chapter 1), (b) a systematic review examining the extent literature on training…

Despite bipartisan support in Washington, DC, which dates back to the mid-1990s, the "what works" approach has yet to gain broad support among policymakers and practitioners. One way to build such support is to increase the usefulness of program impact evaluations for these groups. We describe three ways to make impact evaluations more…