An evaluation of the University of the Witwatersrand refugee research programme : the impact of research findings on implementation of projects

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The viability of a research programme is dependent on its sustainability. The lifespan of a programme is determined by the sustainability achieved as a result of itsactivities. Within any successful research initiative, there is a progression from theresearch findings to the implementation of those findings.This study examines the effect that the implementation of research findings has onthe initiation of new research projects within a research programme. The distinctionsbetween academic research programmes and the implementation of the researchfindings were identified. By unobtrusively applying these definitions to a process ofself-evaluation, a theoretical model was identified for the evaluation of the Universityof the Witwatersrand Refugee Research Programme and one of its projects.Advocacy research, which focused on policy intervention, was not seen as beingsustainable as a programme output, as it is dependent on funding. Sustainability inadvocacy is linked to research skills enabling pilot intervention. Pilot intervention intum requires funding that research programmes sometimes use for their basicsurvival. This should not be interpreted as contributing to the sustainability of theresearch programme as funding activities are driven by the needs of the pilotintervention. This is significant as these needs can through demands from thefunders of pilot intervention, contribute to changes in policies, goals and objectives ofthe research programme.It was found that the progression to implementation within a rural academic researchprogramme does limit the initiation of new research proposals. Research initiativestend to become tools of funding agencies with the focus being placed on theimplementation of the research findings.This study recommends that the implementation of research findings should belimited to pilot projects, that there should be defined time frames for pilotimplementation and, that there should be a clear division of responsibility betweenresearch activity and pilot implementation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University