The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) has recently embarked on a new set of challenge of doing policy research.
Policy research is a special and unique type of research, different from bio-medical or epidemiologic research, since it is inductive rather than deductive, and problem-driven not theory-driven.
Policy research is pragmatic which takes into account the policy environment or the context and arriving at solutions that are feasible given existing institutional structures. It focuses on malleable variables, i.e. variables that are under the control of and can be changed by the policy makers.
The FNRI-DOST, as the lead agency in food and nutrition research and development (R&D), held a training-workshop on “Food and Nutrition Policy Research: From Conceptualization to Communicating Recommendations” to develop policy research proposal on food, nutrition and related areas.
This is the third collaborative undertaking of the Nutrition Intervention, Evaluation and Policy Section (NIEPS) of the FNRI-DOST and the Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies (IHPDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) of UP Manila, through the financial assistance of the Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration, Legal and Financial Affairs of the DOST.
The workshop was a follow-through in enhancing the skills of technical staff on the processes and methodologies in conducting a policy research.
Two years ago, an appreciation course on policy analysis and translation of food and nutrition researches into policy statements were held.
Last year, the participants developed policy advocacy plans and translated research results into policy documents, like policy statements and press releases.
Research findings generated from R&D and results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey have contributed valuable database for program evaluation and policy reforms.
Bridging R&D to policy development is essential to address food, nutrition and health-related problems in the country. The use of research-based data to inform policy decisions is crucial to develop relevant and sustainable nutrition programs and policies.
Twenty-five (25) technical staff participated in the workshop, representing the different divisions of the FNRI-DOST, and from different agencies, namely, Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau of the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and DOST.
Resource persons for the three-day workshop were IHPDS Director, Dr. Fely Marilyn Lorenzo and Prof. Jennifer dela Rosa.
Discussed in the workshop were characteristics of health policy research, policy research process, policy research methods, data analysis, and communicating policy research to policy makers.
Workshops on problem identification/clarification and data collection planning: policy research reviews and qualitative methods were conducted.
The participants presented during the plenary session were on: 1) complementary feeding practices among mothers and caregivers of 6 months to 2-year old children, 2) underweight among 0-5 years old Filipino children, 3) fortification and micronutrient malnutrition, 4) low intake of fruits and vegetables, and 5) promotion of healthy lifestyle in the workplace.
As a follow-through action, the policy research concept papers on the five topics will be developed into a full research proposal for implementation as the Institute moves toward a more proactive path in policy development.
For more information on food and nutrition, you may write or call: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telefax: 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.phThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it, mar_v_c@yahoo.com, , FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Chona F. Patalen, FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service
