Research for Impact from Coursera

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Syllabus

Introduction to Research for Impact

Welcome to Research for Impact. We begin by introducing the Research for Impact approach and its elements. Then we look more closely at the ‘wicked’ problems that this attempts to tackle and the complex systems within which the work takes place. Transdisciplinarity is an important theme in the Research for Impact approach, and so we discuss its role in addressing wicked problems such as climate change adaptation. Chandni Singh and Hillary Masundire share their personal experiences around using the Research for Impact approach to bring change in their communities. We also hear from students, researchers and practitioners speak about how the Research for Impact approach was used in their own research projects.

Planning for Impact

In Research for Impact, we are always working towards some kind of positive change. But how does change happen in complex systems and how can we plan our research activities to bring about this change? This week, Marta Arranz from Oxfam, helps us explore these difficult questions and introduces us to the Theory of Change, Impact Pathways and other tools used for planning. Since projects do not always go to plan, we consider monitoring and evaluation as an important aspect of planning for change. We look at revisiting and adjusting our planned activities as we learn from experiences to improve and increase the impact of our research activities. Mark Tebboth and Alemayehu Zewdie share their experiences of doing research in East Africa and provide us with practical examples of how to plan for impact.

Engaging and Partnering

A key principle of the Research for Impact approach is that we move away from doing research ON people and start doing research WITH people. This encourages us to think carefully about how we can most effectively engage with those affected by, or who may influence the outcomes of our research. How can we develop partnerships that will move us closer to achieving our research goals, and what are the considerations for identifying stakeholders? This week, Daniel Morchain who is the Senior Advisor in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience at Oxfam leads us though considering these questions and more. We also learn about different methods of engagement and what we can gain from these processes. Daniel also discusses the challenges and opportunities of working with issues of powers and politics and what sensitivities we need to be aware of when engaging with diverse groups of stakeholders. For a more practical perspective, Prince Ansah from the University of Ghana and Chandapiwa Molefe from the University of Botswana, share valuable insights from their experiences working with stakeholders and forming important partnerships to achieve their research goals. As you may have gathered, using the research for Impact approach also comes with challenges and we hear from researchers and practitioners about how they addressed some of these challenges in their own research projects.

Communicating for Impact

Different stakeholders have different languages, cultures, and interests and so we need diverse communication approaches in order to effectively communicate with them. In this week, communications expert Prathijna Poonacha Kodira, who is a consultant for the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, explores the process of moving beyond research dissemination and using the information and evidence that we have to deliver impactful messages to various stakeholders. We learn how to develop communications strategies with impact in mind by asking five simple questions: Why, Who, What, How and When. Prathijna also introduces the important roles that knowledge brokers play in ensuring that research findings reach the right people at the right time in a language and format that they can use. This week’s case study is led by Kwasi Appeaning Addo, who demonstrates how using drone footage of floods in Ghana has not only been an effective form of communicating research findings but has also influenced change.

Building Capacities

As a researcher, you are not expected to come with all the knowledge and skills required to facilitate the change you hope to see. On the other hand, your stakeholders and partners may also require additional knowledge and skills in order to contribute to realizing your shared vision. This process of developing these skills for both the researcher and stakeholders is an integral part of the Research for Impact approach, and is called capacity development. This week, our experts Amadou Sidibe, who is an In-Country Scientist for Michigan State University for ICRISAT in Mali, and Edmond Totin, who is a Research Scientist at ICRISAT in Mali, help us to understand the different types and aspects of capacity development and how we go about developing the capacities of ourselves and others. Our case study this week features Renie Thomas who demonstrates how the use of games has aided the development of community members in Maharashtra, India.

Influencing for Impact

In the previous weeks, we learnt about the interdependent elements of Research for Impact and the various tools and activities that we can use to implement them into our research processes. In this week, we look at how to align these practices with our goals and how to use these elements to influence key stakeholders to bring about the changes that we and they want to see. We focus on building strategies and developing a good intervention logic to focus on which points of these complex systems we need to influence to ensure that the evidence from our research project is used and valued by our stakeholders to make an impact. For a more practical perspective Adiku Prosper Yaw shares his experience of doing influential research in Ghana and we end off by hearing from researchers and practitioners who share their practical tips about how best to achieve impact through our research activities.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the 'wicked' problems that the Research for Impact approach attempts to tackle and the complex systems within which the work takes place

Emphasizes transdisciplinarity as an important theme in the Research for Impact approach, underscoring its relevance in addressing complex issues like climate change adaptation

Provides practical examples and case studies from researchers and practitioners who have successfully implemented the Research for Impact approach in their work

Highlights the importance of engaging stakeholders and developing strategic partnerships to achieve research goals and increase impact

Covers diverse communication approaches to effectively engage with different stakeholders and deliver impactful messages

Stresses the significance of capacity development for both researchers and stakeholders to contribute effectively to the research process and achieve desired outcomes

Reviews summary

Well-received research course

Learners say this largely positive course is well-structured and engaging. Research for Impact, in partnership with the University of Cape Town and Oxfam, equips researchers with practical skills to create and conduct impactful research. Students praise the course's expert instructors, relevant content, and engaging assignments that make learning enjoyable and enhance their knowledge.

Emphasizes stakeholder engagement for successful research.

"This course changed my understanding and approach to academic research."

Features expert instructors who share their experiences.

"The materials in the course are presented by people who have vast experiences in research drawn from different fields."

"I like it!"

Introduces Theory of Change for effective research planning.

"Offered me a better overview of the Theory of Change, and I will be able to implement it better."

Encourages collaboration between researchers and stakeholders.

"The processes are nonlinear and iterative."

"the idea of “dancing” with the system is crucial as it enables researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to embrace its dynamic nature, adapt to its complexity, and influence the way it functions."

Teaches methods for conducting impactful research that creates real-world change.

"A very transformative course full of skills to enable researchers and practitioners conduct research that creates impact."

"changed my understanding and perspective on the purpose and process of conducting research for societal change."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Research for Impact with these activities:

Review Research Design and Stakeholder Analysis

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Review the fundamentals of research design and stakeholder analysis to refresh your knowledge and prepare for the course.

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Revisit principles of research design, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Review techniques for stakeholder analysis and identifying stakeholders' interests and influence.

Explore Tools for Online Research and Collaboration

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Gain familiarity with tools that can enhance your online research and collaboration skills, which are essential for the Research for Impact approach.

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Research and try out online research tools for literature reviews, data analysis, and visualization.
Explore and experiment with collaboration tools for document sharing, video conferencing, and project management.

Develop a Research Proposal Outline

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Create an outline for a research proposal that incorporates the principles of Research for Impact, including a Theory of Change, stakeholder engagement plan, and communication strategy.

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Draft a brief overview of your research question, objectives, and expected outcomes.
Develop a Theory of Change that articulates how your research will contribute to desired change.
Outline a plan for engaging stakeholders throughout the research process.
Create a communication strategy to effectively disseminate your research findings to relevant audiences.

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Engage in Peer Review and Feedback

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Participate in peer review and feedback sessions to gain diverse perspectives and improve your research proposal and communication materials.

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Share your research proposal outline with peers for feedback.
Review and provide constructive feedback on other participants' research proposals.

Practice Communicating Research Findings Effectively

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Engage in practice exercises to develop your skills in communicating research findings effectively to diverse audiences.

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Prepare a brief presentation summarizing your research project.
Practice delivering your presentation to peers or a non-specialist audience.
Create a social media post or blog article that communicates your research findings in an accessible manner.

Read 'The Art of Change' by Daryl Conner

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Read this book to gain insights into change management and develop strategies for influencing stakeholders and achieving desired outcomes.

View Leading at the Edge of Chaos on Amazon

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Summarize the key concepts and principles of change management.
Identify the different barriers to change and develop strategies to overcome them.
Learn techniques for building support and consensus for change initiatives.

Attend a Workshop on Research Impact Assessment

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Attend a workshop to develop skills in assessing the impact of your research and evaluating its effectiveness in bringing about change.

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Learn about different methods and tools for research impact assessment.
Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating the impact of your own research project.

Volunteer in a Community Organization Working on Social Change

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Gain practical experience in stakeholder engagement and community outreach by volunteering with an organization that is working towards social change.

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Identify a community organization that aligns with your research interests and goals.
Volunteer your time to support the organization's activities and engage with the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Research for Impact will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Researcher

This course will be very helpful for Researchers, who are responsible for conducting research and analyzing data to answer questions and solve problems. By learning about the Research for Impact approach, you can gain a deeper understanding of how to make your research more impactful, plan for impact, and engage with stakeholders in a way that leads to change.

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Capacity Development Specialist

This course will be helpful for Capacity Development Specialists. The course teaches how to develop the capacities of researchers and stakeholders, which is a key part of the Research for Impact approach. It covers different types and aspects of capacity development which can help Capacity Development Specialists to build and implement capacity development initiatives.

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Research Assistant

This course will be helpful for Research Assistants. This course teaches about the Research for Impact approach, which is a set of principles and practices that will help you to make your research more impactful, which can give you a competitive edge.

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Climate Adaptation Specialist

Climate Adaptation Specialists may find this course useful. The course provides a detailed overview of the Research for Impact approach, which is useful for Climate Adaptation Specialists who want to make their research more impactful. The course also provides practical examples of how to plan for impact, engage with stakeholders, and influence change.

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Knowledge Broker

For Knowledge Brokers, who are responsible for bridging the gap between research and practice, this course will be helpful because one of its key principles is moving from doing research ON, to doing research WITH people. It also teaches you how to use research findings to deliver impactful messages to various stakeholders, which is very important in the field of knowledge exchange.

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Technical Writer

This course will be helpful for Technical Writers, who are responsible for writing clear and concise technical documentation. Communication for impact is a key principle of this course, which teaches how to write impactful messages and develop communications strategies. This would help Technical Writers to develop skills in communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences.

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Development Research Officer

This course will be helpful for Development Research Officers, who aim to improve the lives of people in developing countries. This course's key focus on research and understanding the change process in complex systems can help Development Research Officers to make a greater impact.

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University Lecturer

This course will be helpful for University Lecturers, as it provides a detailed explanation of how to use research to influence change in policy, practice, behaviour, and attitudes. This is a valuable skill for University Lecturers, who may want to make a difference beyond academia.

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Communications Specialist

This course will be helpful for Communications Specialists, who often need to develop communications strategies and ensure impactful messaging. It does this by teaching you about developing a communications strategy, and how to use it to influence stakeholders. It also teaches how to engage with diverse groups and stakeholders in a culturally sensitive way.

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Policy Analyst

This course will be helpful for Policy Analysts, who are responsible for analyzing and interpreting policy to provide guidance for policymakers. This course can help build a foundation for understanding how to do research that influences policy, which is a highly sought-after skillset for Policy Analysts.

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Urban Planner

For Urban Planners, who are responsible for planning and designing cities, this course may be useful. It can provide helpful insights into how to use research for impact. For example, it teaches how to plan for impact and monitor and evaluate progress, which are both necessary for ensuring that urban planning projects have a positive impact on the community.

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Community Development Worker

For Community Development Workers, this course will be helpful, as it teaches about engaging with diverse groups and stakeholders in a culturally sensitive way. This is an important skill for Community Development Workers to have, as they often work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

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Program Manager

Program Managers, who are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, may find this course helpful because it focuses on planning for impact, and understanding how change happens in complex systems.

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Sustainability Consultant

For Sustainability Consultants, who aim to help organizations reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable, this course may be useful. The course touches upon working with issues of power and politics, and engaging with diverse groups of stakeholders. It also teaches about developing a communications strategy, which is key to communicating sustainability goals and initiatives to stakeholders.

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Research Associate

This course may be useful for Research Associates, who are often responsible for conducting research and analyzing data. The course teaches about how to use research findings to deliver impactful messages to various stakeholders and how to influence stakeholders, which are important skills for Research Associates to develop.

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