RAND Standards For High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
RAND Standards For High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
RAND Standards For High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
RAND Standards
for High-Quality and
Objective Research
and Analysis
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
First launched in 1997, the standards were updated in 1999, 2003, 2009, and, most
recently, in 2022. In the latest revision, the standards draw greater attention to relevance
and new attention to transparency, legitimacy, engagement, and inclusion. The wording
of the standards has been streamlined and modified so that the standards can be
applied to both research products and research activities throughout the project life
cycle. The 2022 revision was informed by studies on research quality1 and extensive
input from the RAND community.
The 2022 standards are framed as commitments to principles and actions that advance
quality. They are mutually reinforcing, albeit with some intentional overlap among them.
The standards are coupled with guidance about how to apply them in the review of
research products, at project kick-off, and during in-progress review. This guidance
helps harmonize our quality assurance and other research-support activities across
project life cycles.
We revisit these standards periodically based on information collected from within and
outside RAND.
1
Brian M. Belcher, Katherine E. Rasmussen, Matthew R. Kemshaw, and Deborah A. Zornes, “Defining and Assessing Research
Quality in a Transdisciplinary Context,” Research Evaluation, Vol. 25, No. 1, January 2016, pp. 1–17.
This revision was informed less directly by Bridget C. O’Brien, Ilene B. Harris, Thomas J. Beckman, Darcy A. Reed, and David A.
Cook, “Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research: A Synthesis of Recommendations,” Academic Medicine, Vol. 89, No. 9,
2014, pp. 1245–1251.
1
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
We seek to inform
and influence
effective and
timely solutions to
Relevance
important policy
problems.
2
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
We intentionally include
all important perspectives
Inclusion throughout the research
process.
We conduct objective
analyses grounded
in a clear purpose
Rigor using sound logic and
the most-appropriate
theories, methods,
and data sources
available.
We conduct research
ethically, avoid conflicts
of interest, and maintain
Legitimacy independence and
objectivity.
3
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Engagement
We interact with those who have
a stake in how our research is
conducted, interpreted, and applied.
ENGAGEMENT
4
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Inclusion
We intentionally include all
important perspectives throughout
the research process.
INCLUSION
5
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Relevance
We seek to inform and influence
effective and timely solutions to
important policy problems.
RELEVANCE
6
RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Rigor
We conduct objective analyses grounded
in a clear purpose using sound logic and
the most-appropriate theories, methods,
and data sources available.
RIGOR
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RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Transparency
We explain our research, analysis,
findings, and recommendations in ways
that are understandable and usable.
T R A N S PA R E N C Y
Z requires that research teams Z calls for RAND documents and other
document and report their products to have a clear purpose, be
purpose, scope, sources accessible and easily located, and be
of support, assumptions, useful and tailored to their intended
activities, data, methods, results, audiences.
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RAND Standards for High-Quality and Objective Research and Analysis
Legitimacy
We conduct research ethically, avoid
conflicts of interest, and maintain
independence and objectivity.
LEGITIMACY
Z is supported by institutional
principles, policies, procedures, and
oversight bodies
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C O R P O R AT I O N
www.rand.org CP-A1927-1