This study was commissioned by the Cash Learning Partnership in advance of defining potential research topics for 2014. Its aim was to:
- Understand what action and evidence-based research is currently available.
- Find out who the key research actors are, and how research findings and recommendations are used and shared, and research impact monitored.
- Identify and prioritise gaps in action research.
Data was gathered through individual discussions with representatives of implementing agencies, research bodies, and donors. Input was also received from online discussion groups as well as cash working groups in East Africa and Asia.
Key Findings
- CTP research has developed from a specific focus on the viability of CTP to the production of large quantities of action-based and operational research by a range of humanitarian stakeholders. Whilst there is still some research focusing on the proof of concept, the focus today is more upon specific thematic topics and studies that can show what works, that feed into guidance and that take learning forward.
- Much research is undertaken by implementing agencies, donors and private sector actors in order to contribute to developing organisational strategies and policy papers. This is often not shared within the wider community of practice. Undertaking credible research requires significant time and resource commitments which many implementing agencies do not have, particularly when their focus may be upon implementing responses in the heat of a crisis. Due to time and resource limitations, many NGO studies are only able to touch the surface and often lead to the need for further context-specific research.
- A small number of actors, including CaLP and ODI, are those most commonly referenced as leading CTP-related research. CaLP undertakes valuable action-oriented and operational research which is frequently based on the application, experience and challenges of the use of CTP on the ground (albeit without having its own research strategy). Other bodies are relied upon for more academic and scientific research.
- There is a significant amount of research available on CTP which is used to advocate for CTP and to design or improve programming. There remain a number of research gaps which need to be addressed in order to take current research forward in an actionable way for practitioners. Some of these gaps are CTP-specific whilst others, such as the need for additional research into cost-effectiveness and market impact, are more generic.
- Of the many potential research topics identified, there are six for which further investigation, resulting in practical, forward-thinking recommendations, would be beneficial for humanitarian stakeholders as a priority. These six thematic areas are: (i) a cost efficiency and effectiveness comparison; (ii) multi-sector cash programming; (iii) WASH and (iv) health potential with CTP; (v) links between social protection systems and emergency CTP; and (vi) cash in refugee contexts.
- In addition to further research, there is a need to pull together the many guidelines and tools on CTP that have been developed in recent years. Due to the number of topics that require further investigation, the close involvement of, and collaboration with, research bodies, implementing agencies, donors and other actors, is important to ensure that the practical recommendations required to assist stakeholders in taking CTP forward, where appropriate, are a result of any further research.
- Measuring the impact of research is complex and requires a skillset and a capacity (financial and human) that the majority of implementing agencies, and even research bodies, simply do not have. Measuring the impact of research is a time- and resource-intensive activity but it is necessary for those commissioning research to be able to understand more fully what research is used and which research is most effective.
- Research is likely to have increased impact if it proposes a solution to an identified problem, if it is communicated and targeted appropriately and if it comes from a body of research as opposed to a single piece.
- Many approaches to the dissemination of CTP are currently being used by humanitarian and other stakeholders. There remains a need to reinforce and strengthen current dissemination methods in order to reach a broad target audience – which includes practitioners, governments and decision-makers – effectively.
