Responsible AI Use in Institutional Research
Use AI to support research workflows while keeping evidence, confidentiality and accountability with people.
GRS Editorial · GCAIRead guideGRS editorial · Policy & strategy
From Data to Policy Options: A Six-Step Route
Move from an observed pattern to feasible policy choices without overstating causation.
Policy & strategy
A practical starting point.
Move from an observed pattern to feasible policy choices without overstating causation. This guide offers a starting method for teams developing research and institutional decisions. Adapt it to the question, context and relevant scientific, ethics and data requirements.
Step 01
Describe the pattern
Define the population, time period and measure. Examine missing data and changes in collection before drawing conclusions. A trend can signal a problem, but the direction of change alone rarely explains why it happened.
Step 02
Examine plausible explanations
Combine quantitative analysis with interviews, implementation records and prior research. Consider alternative explanations and confounders. Where possible, compare groups or periods using a design suited to the question; make causal language match the strength of the design.
Step 03
Develop options
Ask which actors can change the mechanism, what authority they have and what resources are required. Include a baseline or no-change option for comparison. Assess distributional effects so aggregate improvements do not conceal harm to particular communities.
Step 04
Plan learning
Specify leading and outcome indicators, implementation milestones and a review date before rollout. If uncertainty is high, a limited pilot with safeguards can be more informative than an immediate system-wide commitment. Document the reasoning so the policy can be corrected.
Illustrative application
What this could look like.
An increase in missed appointments may coincide with a new booking system. The data identifies a pattern, but not its cause. Examine changes in case mix, transport, reminders and recording rules; speak with service users. The eventual options might include adjusted scheduling, targeted reminders or accessibility support, each with a proposed test and review period.
Put it into practice
A short working checklist.
- Write the precise decision or research question this work should support.
- Record the sources, methods, stakeholders and permissions needed before proceeding.
- Agree who reviews the output and how limitations will be communicated.
- Set a date to revisit the decision when evidence or conditions change.
GRS Group editorial guide · Published 24 September 2026 · Informational guidance, not an empirical study or formal professional advice.
Related research
Continue with the centre and knowledge model.
Global Public Policy & Government Research Center Research & Knowledge All guidesFurther reading