Guide for Policy Brief
Policy Brief Submission Guidelines
1. Title
A concise policy-oriented title.
Example:
Improving Maternal Health Service Utilization in Rural Bangladesh: Evidence and Policy Options
2. Executive Summary (150–250 words)
Include:
- Policy problem
- Key findings
- Main policy implications
- Priority recommendations
3. Policy Problem and Context (300–500 words)
Describe:
- The issue under investigation
- Why it matters
- Existing policies and institutional arrangements
- Current challenges
4. Evidence Base and Key Findings (500–800 words)
Present:
- Research findings
- Supporting statistics
- International comparisons
- Stakeholder perspectives
Recommended formats:
- Graphs
- Infographics
- Summary tables
5. Policy Analysis Framework
Authors should use at least one recognized policy analysis tool.
Option A: PESTLE Analysis
Useful for examining the broader policy environment.
| Dimension | Key Issues |
|---|---|
| Political | Government commitment, political stability |
| Economic | Budget implications, financing needs |
| Social | Public acceptance, demographic trends |
| Technological | Digital infrastructure, innovation |
| Legal | Regulatory requirements |
| Environmental | Sustainability considerations |
Example
| PESTLE Factor | Implication |
|---|---|
| Political | Strong national commitment to universal health coverage |
| Economic | Limited fiscal space for expansion |
| Technological | Growing digital health infrastructure |
| Legal | Need for data protection regulations |
Option B: SWOT Analysis
Useful for assessing policy interventions or programs.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Existing health infrastructure | Workforce shortages |
| Opportunities | Threats |
|---|---|
| Donor support | Political turnover |
| Digital innovation | Economic downturn |
Option C: Stakeholder Analysis
| Stakeholder | Interest | Influence | Recommended Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Health | High | High | Direct consultation |
| NGOs | High | Medium | Partnership |
| Local Government | Medium | Medium | Capacity building |
Option D: Decision Tree Analysis
Particularly useful when policymakers must choose among alternative policy options.
Example
Policy Goal:
Increase Childhood Vaccination Coverage
Option 1:
Expand Community Clinics
→ Higher Coverage
→ Moderate Cost
Option 2:
Mobile Vaccination Teams
→ Rapid Coverage Increase
→ Higher Operational Cost
Option 3:
Digital Reminder System
→ Moderate Coverage Increase
→ Low Cost
Authors may present decision trees graphically or in tabular form.
Option E: Cost–Benefit or Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Where applicable, authors may compare policy alternatives.
| Policy Option | Cost | Expected Benefit | Feasibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option A | High | High | Medium |
| Option B | Medium | High | High |
| Option C | Low | Moderate | High |
6. Policy Options Assessment (300–500 words)
Present 2–4 alternative policy choices.
Suggested Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | High | Medium | High |
| Cost | High | Medium | Low |
| Feasibility | Medium | High | High |
| Equity Impact | High | Medium | Medium |
7. Policy Recommendations (400–600 words)
Recommendations should be:
SMART
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Recommended format:
| Recommendation | Responsible Agency | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 1 | Ministry of Health | 1 year |
| Recommendation 2 | Local Government | 2 years |
8. Implementation Roadmap
Short-Term (0–1 Year)
- Immediate actions
Medium-Term (1–3 Years)
- Institutional reforms
Long-Term (3–5 Years)
- Structural changes
9. Risks and Mitigation Strategies
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding shortage | Medium | High | Diversify financing |
| Political resistance | Medium | High | Stakeholder engagement |
10. Key Messages Box
Key Messages
✓ Policy action is urgently needed.
✓ Evidence supports intervention X.
✓ Implementation requires multi-sectoral collaboration.
✓ Digital technologies can improve effectiveness.
✓ Monitoring and evaluation should be institutionalized.
11. Conclusion
Summarize:
- Policy challenge
- Evidence
- Priority actions
12. References
- APA 7th edition
- Maximum 20 references
- Preference for recent peer-reviewed evidence
Preferred Analytical Tools for Health Research Review
Authors are encouraged to use one or more of the following:
- PESTLE Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Decision Tree Analysis
- Cost–Benefit Analysis
- Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
- Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
- Risk Assessment Matrix
- Theory of Change Framework
- Policy Gap Analysis