Policy research and analysis

Capability level: Developing — being tested and documented through independent projects and pilot partnerships.

This area focuses on synthesizing existing policy research, comparing alternatives, identifying affected groups, and documenting implementation questions and uncertainty.

Typical work

• Evidence reviews and source maps
• Comparison of published policy alternatives
• Identification of affected groups and implementation questions
• Decision-ready brief prototypes

What the analysis says and does not say

A brief should state tradeoffs, affected groups, implementation considerations, and remaining uncertainty. Where evidence cannot separate two options, the analysis should say so rather than manufacture certainty, following the practice position on evidence.

Independence

Methods and sources are documented so readers can inspect the reasoning. Commissioning an analysis does not buy a predetermined conclusion.

Questions that need primary collection are scoped as Applied research instead. rhizae does not provide legal or regulatory advice, and projects requiring advanced fiscal, legislative, or causal expertise need an appropriate specialist.