2025 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 38-49
This paper analyzes the role of research data infrastructure in supporting evidence-based policymaking (EBPM) for science, technology, and innovation, and proposes future directions. It clarifies the theoretical relationship between research data infrastructure and EBPM, and offers a comprehensive analysis encompassing international comparisons, case studies, and methodological considerations. The significance lies in elucidating data-driven infrastructure's role in policymaking, particularly its importance and associated challenges.
The framework defines research data infrastructure as central to EBPM's context-mechanism-outcome chain. International comparisons highlight Japan's need for stronger EBPM institutions, integrated data infrastructure, expertise development, and systematic EBPM integration. Case studies show issues including metric overreliance. Methodological considerations address data reliability. An interdisciplinary approach and a socio-technical systems perspective emphasize integrating knowledge, flexible design, stakeholder dialogue, and international cooperation.
Research data infrastructure and EBPM are crucial for policy quality, but require addressing challenges through interdisciplinary and international collaboration, supporting open science, and respecting researcher autonomy.
