The utilization of scientific outputs in policy formulation in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mzumbe University
Abstract
The goal of this study was to find out the utilization of scientific outputs made by Research and Development institutes especially, Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) in the Ministry’s policy formulation, these research institutes operate autonomously under the umbrella in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT). Along this, the case study design was employed whereby, 40 respondents were selected as sample size from four departments; the Department of Administration and Human Resources, Policy and Planning, Forest Services and Beekeeping, and Wildlife Development, all were staffs working in the MNRT headquarter. Moreover, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used; semi-structure interview guides, semi closed-ended questionnaires and documentary reviews were the selected methods of gathering information. Additionally, the computer software (Atlas.ti and MS-Excel) used to assist the researcher in data entry, data management and presentation of the findings. Frankly the findings of this study demonstrated that, the public research institutes conducted researches and disseminated their findings to the Ministry, the research reports were delivered in the form of technical reports, research summaries, and annual reports. In most case the scientific reports were presented in the conference and Ministry Board Meeting. However, the fact was that scientific outputs generated by TAFORI and TAWIRI were not fully integrated in the Ministry. The study found that the external factors that made policy makers failed to incorporate research results for policy development was the pressure from politicians; as the politicians enforced policy agenda, and inadequate fiscal resources. While internal organization sources of failure was inability of human resource in propose the policy issues to be researched for, and inability of understand, analysis and uptake of the research results as potential inputs in public policy development. Hence, to address this problem, the study recommends for the provision of refresher course to human resources as well as the public organizations should involve researchers as important stakeholders in the wholly process of developing public policy; from problem identification to the policy evaluation.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Research and Public Policy (MRPP) of Mzumbe University
Keywords
Evidence-based decision making theory, The two communities’ theory, Natural Resources, Tourism.
Citation
APA