What becomes of social science knowledge: New Zealand researchers' experiences of knowledge transfer modes and audiences

Abstract

The transfer and uptake of research-based knowledge by end users is a measure of the utility of research, and, from a funder's perspective, a measure of an effective investment. What constitutes uptake to social scientists and whether such practice is a routine or novel outcome of New Zealand social science research is largely unexplored. In the 2006 National Survey of Social Scientists respondents were asked to report recent experiences of knowledge transfer and research uptake, including the organization to which information had been conveyed. This paper presents an analysis of these responses. Forty-two percent of respondents reported at least one example of research transfer or uptake in their main research field in the previous 12 months. Accounts ranged from passive forms of information transfer such as making journal articles or reports available to potential end users to instances of organizational, programme, curriculum or policy change that the researcher attributed, at least in part, to the uptake of research-based knowledge. Government agencies were the target of 31% of reported examples, across sectors as diverse as agriculture, fisheries and conservation as well as those in the social, health, justice and welfare areas. © 2010 The Royal Society of New Zealand.