Excellence in Research
WRI is committed to producing high-quality research that blends academic rigor with a focus on achieving positive change in the world. Independent, evidence-based analysis provides the foundation for our knowledge products and programs. To ensure WRI’s work drives impact, we also strive for a continuous cycle of data collection, monitoring, evaluation and learning. WRI is one of the few NGOs with central staff dedicated to fostering a learning culture and ensuring research excellence.
WRI’s Standards of Research Excellence
The Research Integrity team sets and oversees consistent standards for all WRI-branded knowledge products — from research publications to web-based applications and data tools:
- Credible: Research products must present a balanced view, be based on appropriate evidence and be transparent. See WRI’s Open Data Commitment for more details on transparency in our research and data.
- Adds value: Research adds value by delivering new insights that deepen understanding of an issue or its context and advance broad project goals.
- Fit for audience: Research findings should be written and presented to inform the target audience.
- Well written: Research outputs are presented with a clear, focused narrative.
- Institutionally coherent: Research approaches and analyses are informed by collaboration across WRI’s focus countries and programs.
The Research Integrity team provides guidance on research design, data collection and analysis. It also oversees a rigorous internal and external review process. The mix of reviewers who evaluate WRI’s knowledge products comes from academia, multilateral institutions, think tanks, research and advocacy organizations, governments and the private sector. Reviewers are asked to examine every aspect of the work — from research methods, data collection and modeling to logic, clarity and feasibility. Only research products that have gone through this review process may display the WRI logo on their cover.
WRI’s Knowledge Products
WRI’s research publications fall into one of seven categories:
- Reports share the results of in-depth research based on extensive evidence.
- Issue briefs are short publications that inform policymakers in governments or international organizations.
- Guidebooks help users apply a clearly defined standard, practice or process.
- Working papers describe work still in progress or respond to time-sensitive, rapidly evolving opportunities.
- Technical notes document a research or analytical methodology that underpins a WRI publication, interactive application or data product.
- Practice notes share experiences and insights gleaned from the implementation of a specific activity in a single location.
- Expert notes provide expert perspectives to decision-makers confronting an urgent challenge.
WRI knowledge products must align with WRI’s mission and values as well as its quality standards. They are generally released under a Creative Commons license, which permits reuse of the content when proper attribution is provided. For more information about WRI's review procedures, please contact the WRI Publications team at [email protected].
If you notice an error in one of our publications or have concerns about the quality of our research, please contact the authors and copy [email protected]. WRI takes concerns related to its research seriously.