Knowledge for Action
Applied research to understand complex problems, integrate evidence, and guide decisions
Organizations need to understand problems, explore new possibilities, evaluate alternatives, and make decisions in increasingly complex contexts. To do so, they draw on research, data, documents, and the experiences of multiple actors, but this information is often scattered and presents diverse perspectives, agreements, tensions, and knowledge gaps.
At Purpose & Ideas, we develop applied research that combines evidence, analysis, and diverse perspectives to build a rigorous, situated understanding of problems and transform it into useful knowledge for action.
We design tailored processes that integrate evidence reviews, documentary and comparative analysis, in-depth interviews, consultation with relevant actors, triangulation of sources and findings; identification of patterns, tensions, opportunities, and gaps. Beyond producing diagnoses, we facilitate the collective interpretation of findings to identify opportunities, build recommendations, and define possible courses of action.
The value of research lies in connecting what we know with different perspectives and contexts, and in expanding the understanding of problems by providing clarity to guide policies, programs, strategies, and partnerships.
Our experience
Purpose & Ideas has worked with research centers, foundations, networks, and international organizations on knowledge production, future visioning, and strategic planning processes. Among other processes, it has developed a framework to analyze the context of government agencies that identifies critical dimensions for strengthening the use of evidence in public policy. It has contributed to a regional study of science and research systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, exploring their past and present and identifying seeds of change, and to a global study on the future of these systems synthesizing five regional processes, funded by IDRC.
Three ways to work together
Exploration of a field
To understand a topic or problem before defining a strategy or intervention. We integrate evidence, debates, actors, and experiences to identify trends, knowledge gaps, and opportunities relevant to the organization.
Research for a decision
To answer a specific question and evaluate alternatives. We combine sources and methods to produce findings, analyze options, and formulate recommendations oriented toward decision-making.
Multi-actor research
To address problems that require understanding diverse perspectives and building a shared reading. We identify agreements, tensions, and possibilities for collaboration to guide policies, programs, and partnerships.
Each research project is designed based on the questions and challenges of each organization. If you need to better understand a problem or context, explore alternatives, or make evidence-informed decisions, let's talk.
