Outcomes and Impacts Evaluation of the Research Program Titled: TheCrisis Management Shared Experiences and Lesson Learned Between Japan and Thailand

Abstract

Outcomes and impacts evaluation of the research program titled The Crisis Management
Shared Experiences and Lesson Learned between Japan and Thailand hasthree objectives:
(1) To evaluate outcomes and impacts of the research program titled The Crisis
Management Shared Experiences and Lesson Learned between Japan and Thailand, (2) To
measure success of research grant from The Thailand Research Fund for the research
program titled The Crisis Management Shared Experiences and Lesson Learned between
Japan and Thailand, and (3) To recommend a guideline for granting research fund from The
Thailand Research Fund for the research program titled The Crisis Management Shared
Experiences and Lesson Learned between Japan and Thailand. Asfor research method for
the evaluation, a qualitative research Summative Evaluation method was used to collect data
from subjects who involved in the research program. The evaluation results showed that, in
overall, the research program relatively generated output, outcomes and impacts. Most of
the research programs produced academic journals ’ articles : some projects directly
generated outcomes and impacts , some projects incurred some changes and there was
neither academic journal’s article nor academic conference proceedings paper from only
one research program . However , these are important contributions to the research
community.

As for problems and obstacles incurred in the research grant, there are five main issues as
follows:
(1) The goal of the research program was not clearly set; (2) Sub-research programs were
undertaken independently and thus did not generate any major impact ; (3) Research
programs at regional level were supported by international organizations. This did not allow
analysis of direct outcomes and impacts from the research program; (4) Research scholars
were granted by the same unit under the same academic institution . This caused a lack of
diversity of perspectives and attitudes and thus did not generate a new research paradigm.
Accordingly , it could be misunderstood that this was a result of conflict of interest and
partisan alignment corruption in relation to the research grant allocation; and
(5) different researchers had different determinants of outcomes and impacts on the society at large In relation to a guideline for research grant for The Crisis Management Shared Experiences
and Lesson Learned between Japan and Thailand, the guideline needs to be introduced for
five purposes: (1) There were research programs that required specific target between
research team, source of donor and research beneficiaries or parties involved; (2) While the
past research grant were mainly allocated for output from researches, the grants should be
allocated for contribution other than just academic researches; (3) Researchers must be
committed not only to conduct research and publish but also to create outcomes and impacts
on the society and public at large; (4) Researchers should bear in mind the “Begin with the
end in mind” approach so that they can set a better goal and overview of the research; and
(5) Research Utilization should be included in the complete research manuscript. Also, it
must be considered as an important part of a research program so that the research can be
fully and genuinely utilized