Evidence-based policy-making and exam board insider researchers: creating communicative spaces

ABSTRACT

This article conceptualises the relationship between exam board insider research and the policy-making context in which they operate. Exam board researchers are constrained by commercial and political interests in disclosing their knowledge. and face pressures in disseminating research, butalso find themselves working in contexts where calls to ‘evidence-based policy-making’ are ubiquitous. This can deprofessionalise and disenfranchise the researcher.. This article will depict the context faced by exam board researchers attempting to influence policy before portraying possible responses, evaluating how these can be applied to exam board research, with reference to research on standard-setting. The article will build on a conceptualisation of successful exam board insider research as the creation of Habermasian ‘communicative spaces’, applying lessons from research–policy interface literature to that conceptualisation. Inapplying those lessons, the article will suggest possible solutions to the problems faced by that group in their attempts to influence policymakers.

KEYWORDS:

• Insider research
• exam board research
• research and policy-making
• standard-setting

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lena Gray

Lena Gray is Director of Research and Analysis at AQA. Prior to joining AQA, she worked at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), latterly as Head of Policy, Assessment, Statistics and Standards. She also has experience as a secondary teacher of English. Her research interests include standard-setting, qualitative research methods, and insider research.

Dr Gray is Director of Research and Analysis at AQA, where she has worked since 2014. Her role involves strategic planning and leadership of research, analysis and data science services. She also has oversight of AQA’s standard setting. Previously, Lena was Head of Policy, Assessment, Statistics and Standards at SQA, where she was responsible for research, establishing policy, and introducing innovations to qualifications and assessment design.