1. MOST Policy Documents A standardized approach for the dissemination & application of policy-relevant knowledge 1.Rationale for Standardized Approach 2.System Design Methodology 3.Documents Structure Outline 4.Dissemination Methods 5.System Features & Functionality 6.Content Connectivity & Flexibility

2. 1. Why ‘Standardize’? Not standardize knowledge but support – to innovate in dissemination & utilization methods Reduce processing time & costs with electronic communication – submission/review & editing/posting Produce different types of documents for different users with different needs – from the same information Capitalize knowledge & experience to enhance potentials for replication & transfer Accelerate dissemination and empower use & re-use of research results for policy-making

3. 2.1 Empirical Basis Briefing & reporting-driven information flows (access, extraction, making & use processes) in policy institutions US Library of Congress Congressional Research Service, & other policy research services Policy research theoretical studies & educative materials Information flows in administration & management decision-support services

4. 2.2 Structure Design Content mapping from theoretical studies, educative materials, documents by policy institutions, & guidelines for reporting on ‘best practices’ Integration into comprehensive, ‘generic’ structure Selection of salient points, addition of points of relevance to domain-specificity ‘System’ considerations: content connectivity potentials Definition of appropriate sequence-logic Refining structure & features with writers & users

5. 3.1 Policy Papers I. Document Information II. Introduction III. Context IV. Legal Framework in Place V. Stakeholders’ Plans & Strategies VI. Proposed Policy Implications VII. Monitoring & Evaluation VIII. References

6. 3.2 Policy Briefs A. Document information B. Introduction C. Abstracts from paper sections: Context Legal framework in place Stakeholders’ plans and strategies Proposed policy implications Monitoring and evaluation D. References

7. 4. Dissemination Papers (15 to 20+ pages) & Briefs (ab. 4 pages – a collection of select items from the Papers) Print & electronic versions Website: Downloadable versions (.pdf), and Interactive versions (.html) – items in Brief link to integral text of section in original Paper Newsletters via mailing lists (body text,.pdf file as attachment, link to Brief & Paper pages on website) Alerting via email when new paper comes out

8. 5.1 Search & Reporting Qualifying & localizing an issue/case filters documents Generic themes (education) & particular problems (secondary school dropouts) Regions (Africa) or geographic areas (Eastern Africa), countries (Kenya) Retrieving specific items produces custom-documents Select items from single Paper generate custom-type Brief (‘just the right information’) Select items across multiple Papers generate custom- type report (focus analysis)

9. 5.1.1 Issue/case Dimensions On ‘secondary school dropouts in Kenya’, one may be interested in Overviewing legal frameworks, e.g. for anteriority research Or identifying networks of individuals, organizations, resources, & how they are mobilized Different sets of items report on the same policy issue/case with distinct, specific dimensions ‘Legal instruments for the prevention of sec. school dropouts in Kenya’ ‘Agents & resources involved in the prevention of sec. school dropouts in Kenya’

10. 5.1.2 Issue/case Locations & Contexts One may want to compare geographically Neighbouring (Ethiopia, Tanzania), other African (South Africa, Namibia), or different (Cuba, China) countries Zoom out for regional (Eastern Africa) or cross-regional (Latin-America & the Caribbean, Asia & the Pacific) comparisons Or restrict with specific ‘social-ecological’ foci Geo-administrative scales (district, medium city, village) Social-environmental contexts (inner city, rural) Location-specific environments (coastal, mountain)

11. 5.2 Analysis & Research Quantitative processing across knowledge items produces practical evidence for analytical or exploratory purposes Identifying how problems result from particular situations in particular contexts Assessing extent of solutions available for particular types of problem Identifying solutions to a particular problem based on similar experiences Assessing potentials for success of solutions Identifying best option(s) based on context specificity Inferring problems that might arise from solutions, etc.

12. 6.1 Content Connectivity Complex policy challenges can be translated into ‘Profiles’ "How-to’s" & "Best practices" can be extracted and compiled Natural language tools can help answer practical questions System can be made self-learning through profiles & queries Value multiplies with each document added (& with every search) Need critical mass (docs.) for system to be knowledgeable

13. 6.2 Flexibility Granularity: the number of structural levels (in a text: section, part, chapter, paragraph, etc.) Higher granularity = better customization (search & profiles) and more precise analyses (questions & answers), but: Higher granularity = heavier constraints for the authors – in fitting in research content Need right balance between enough granularity & ease of writing – to enable usability while not constraining knowledge production To be tested in close collaboration with authors & users – researchers & policy-makers

14. Thank you Your comments & questions are welcome Christina Von Furstenberg c.von-furstenberg@unesco.org Santiago Castro s.castro@unesco.org Vincent Maugis v.maugis@unesco.org