ABSTRACTThe goal of the project is to gather information on the various research commissioned by the ministries in 1998 and 1999, in order to have a base for the public policy development programme [of the Soros Foundation – Latvia]. The study addresses the key obstacles of ministry-commissioned research, and the transparency of state-financed research. The study provides data on state financing allocated to research and scientific activities and the procedure of state procurement in this respect. It offers an evaluation of the research results and its impact on policy making.
Main conclusions:
Research commissioned by government institutions in most cases does not conform to the goals and criteria of policy analysis. The procedure outlined in normative documents does not promote transparency and fair competition in the commissioning of state procurement. The practical usability of this research is insignificant because it is mostly highly descriptive and factual. Thereby the research commissioned by state institutions lacks those ingredients of policy analysis that offer solutions to problems and alternate solutions. To change the current system, it is important to promote transparency in the provision of research services.