Knowledge Translation 2 - Policy Brief from edX

Welcome to this MOOC, part 2 of a series titled Knowledge Translation: Promoting Evidence-informed Practices and Policies.

These days, researchers, practitioners and decision makers are placing greater emphasis on using evidence to improve interventions, healthcare and the well-being of populations. This trend is particularly significant in sectors that address social issues such as health, social, educational and judicial interventions and services. This movement can be seen in the emergence of new approaches that promote an increased use of research: knowledge translation, evidence-informed decision-making and practices, knowledge mobilization, knowledge utilization, knowledge enhancement, etc.

Studies on the subject show that the process leading to the use of knowledge is so complex that science and research still barely get taken into account in practice and decision-making communities. There is consensus in scientific literature that the efforts made to make scientific knowledge available are necessary, but not sufficient, for their actual use in practice communities. This course has been designed to address these issues.

This series of free online courses was developed by the RENARD team in collaboration with the Institut de recherche pour le développement and with the support of Université de Montréal’s Centre de pédagogie universitaire.

The second MOOC in the series focuses exclusively on the preparation of policy briefs. By the end of this course, you will be able to distinguish between different types of policy briefs and identify key elements that characterize their effectiveness. In addition, you will learn more about the different steps involved in producing a policy brief and the different choices that must be made with regards to its content. You will therefore be better equipped to prepare your own clear, rigorous, credible and convincing policy briefs.

Several teaching methods are used to facilitate your learning:

Educational videos presenting theoretical notions and concrete examples
Vox pops presenting the point of view of people working in the field
Short quizzes to validate your understanding of the concepts presented
Readings to consolidate and deepen your learning
Practical exercises allowing you to put into practice the notions learned

Other MOOCs in this series :

Knowledge Translation 1 - Introduction
Knowledge Translation 3 - Knowledge Brokering (Coming soon)

What's inside

Learning objective

By the end of this course, you will be able to distinguish between different types of policy briefs and identify key elements that characterize their effectiveness. in addition, you will learn more about the different steps involved in producing a policy brief and the different choices that must be made with regards to its content. you will therefore be better equipped to prepare your own clear, rigorous, credible and convincing policy briefs.

Syllabus

Module 1 – What is a policy brief?

Module 2 – What does the research on policy briefs say?

Module 3 – What are the key characteristics of a convincing policy brief?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners to effectively utilize evidence for improving interventions and well-being on healthcare and social issues

Teaches practical steps on crafting clear, convincing, and compelling policy briefs to advocate for evidence-informed practices

Suitable for practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers who are looking to refine their knowledge translation, evidence-informed decision-making, and knowledge mobilization skills

Part of a comprehensive and detailed course series on knowledge translation, which provides a deep dive into the relevant concepts and methodologies

Emphasizes the growing importance of evidence-informed practices and policies in various sectors, aligning with industry trends and needs

Employs multiple teaching methods, including educational videos, interactive quizzes, and real-world examples, to enhance the learning experience

Reviews summary

Mastering policy briefs for impact

According to students, "Knowledge Translation 2 - Policy Brief" is a highly practical and comprehensive guide to creating effective policy briefs. Learners consistently praise its clear, logical structure and engaging content delivery, finding the educational videos and expert 'vox pops' particularly valuable for real-world context. The practical exercises and quizzes are frequently highlighted as instrumental in reinforcing learning and achieving the objective of producing clear, rigorous, and convincing policy briefs. While seen as a foundational and essential resource, particularly for professionals new to the topic, a few learners noted that it could benefit from deeper exploration of advanced strategies or more current case studies for those with existing background.

Serves as a focused follow-up to the introductory Knowledge Translation course.

"This course is a great follow-up to KT1."

"It complements the first Knowledge Translation course perfectly."

"It transformed my understanding of knowledge translation in the context of policy."

Provides a strong foundation, though some seek more advanced content.

"For someone completely new, it's probably fine, but if you have some background, it might feel a bit slow."

"While excellent for an introduction, I was hoping for a bit more advanced analysis or case studies."

"Good course for beginners in policy brief writing... for more experienced individuals, it might lack the desired depth."

Highly valuable for researchers and practitioners in policy-related fields.

"Highly recommended for anyone in research or policy fields."

"Very useful course for anyone in the public health or social science fields needing to communicate research effectively."

"An essential course for researchers aiming to bridge the gap between evidence and policy."

The course is well-organized with clear modules and diverse learning methods.

"The structure of the course was very logical, making it easy to follow the progression."

"Loved the educational videos and the vox pops; they kept the material engaging."

"The instructors explain complex ideas in an understandable way."

Equips learners with actionable skills for creating effective policy briefs.

"This course equipped me with the practical tools needed to write a clear and convincing policy brief."

"I now feel much more confident in my ability to develop a policy brief."

"Learned concrete steps for preparing and presenting policy briefs that can be immediately applied."

Some reading materials or examples could benefit from being updated.

"My only minor critique is that some of the reading materials felt a little dated..."

"I'd love to see an updated version with more current case studies..."

"I wished for more varied scenarios or a focus on specific policy areas."

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 Knowledge Translation 2 - Policy Brief with these activities:

Review the scientific method

Show steps

Reviewing the scientific method will provide you with a foundation for understanding how research is conducted and how evidence is generated.

Browse courses on Scientific Method

Show steps

Read an article about the scientific method.
Watch a video about the scientific method.
Create a diagram of the scientific method.

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Knowledge Translation 2 - Policy Brief will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Policy Analyst

A Public Policy Analyst advises government entities on how to shape public policy. They conduct research, analyze data, and provide recommendations on a variety of policy issues. This course can help someone who wants to become a Public Policy Analyst by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence, write policy briefs, and communicate their findings to decision-makers. The course also provides an overview of the policy-making process, which can be helpful for understanding how to influence public policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Policy Advisor

A Policy Advisor provides advice and recommendations to government officials, politicians, and other decision-makers on a variety of policy issues. They conduct research, analyze data, and provide recommendations on how to develop and implement policies. This course can help someone who wants to become a Policy Advisor by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence, write policy briefs, and communicate their findings to decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Advisor

Government Relations Specialist

A Government Relations Specialist represents the interests of an organization before government officials and agencies. They build relationships with government officials, track legislation, and advocate for the organization's interests. This course can help someone who wants to become a Government Relations Specialist by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence, write policy briefs, and communicate their findings to decision-makers. The course also provides an overview of the policy-making process, which can be helpful for understanding how to influence government policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Specialist

Legislative Aide

A Legislative Aide assists a member of the legislature in carrying out their duties. They conduct research, draft legislation, and staff committee meetings. This course can help someone who wants to become a Legislative Aide by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence, write policy briefs, and communicate their findings to decision-makers. The course also provides an overview of the legislative process, which can be helpful for understanding how to influence legislation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legislative Aide

Research Analyst

A Research Analyst conducts research on a variety of topics, including policy issues. They analyze data, write reports, and present their findings to clients. This course can help someone who wants to become a Research Analyst by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write policy briefs. The course also provides an overview of the research process, which can be helpful for understanding how to conduct research on policy issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Program Manager

A Program Manager plans and implements programs and initiatives. They develop budgets, manage staff, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Program Manager by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write policy briefs. The course also provides an overview of the program management process, which can be helpful for understanding how to plan and implement programs.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans and implements projects. They develop budgets, manage staff, and evaluate the effectiveness of projects. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Project Manager by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write policy briefs. The course also provides an overview of the project management process, which can be helpful for understanding how to plan and implement projects.

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Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and expertise to clients on a variety of topics, including policy issues. They conduct research, analyze data, and develop recommendations. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Consultant by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write policy briefs.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst analyzes public policy issues and provides recommendations for policy changes. They conduct research, analyze data, and write reports. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Policy Analyst by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write policy briefs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Affairs Specialist

A Public Affairs Specialist manages the public relations and communications activities of an organization. They develop and implement public relations campaigns, write press releases, and manage media relations. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Public Affairs Specialist by providing them with the skills to write clearly and persuasively.

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Speechwriter

A Speechwriter writes speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. They conduct research, develop key messages, and write speeches that are clear, persuasive, and engaging. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Speechwriter by providing them with the skills to write clearly and persuasively. The course also provides an overview of the speechwriting process, which can be helpful for understanding how to write effective speeches.

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Writer

A Writer creates written content, such as articles, blog posts, and website content. They conduct research, develop key messages, and write content that is clear, persuasive, and engaging. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Writer by providing them with the skills to write clearly and persuasively.

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Journalist

A Journalist gathers and reports on news and current events. They conduct interviews, research stories, and write articles that inform the public. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become a Journalist by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write clearly and persuasively.

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Editor

An Editor reviews, edits, and prepares written content for publication. They work with writers to ensure that content is clear, concise, and error-free. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become an Editor by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and write clearly and persuasively.

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Teacher

A Teacher develops and delivers lesson plans, teaches students, and assesses student learning. They work with students to help them learn and grow. This course may be useful for someone who wants to become an Educator by providing them with the skills to analyze evidence and communicate their findings to others.

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