Development and validation of SEER (Seeking, Engaging with and Evaluating Research): a measure of policymakers’ capacity to engage with and use research

Table 2 Descriptive statistics for respondent characteristics

Characteristic (response options)	Freq. (%) or mean (SD)
Number of policies contributed to in the last 6 months^a
None^c	8 (5%)
1 to 3	61 (41%)
More than 3	81 (54%)
Organisational tenure^a
0–1 years	28 (19%)
2–5 years	72 (48%)
6–10 years	33 (22%)
Over 10 years	11 (7%)
Did not respond	6 (4%)
Role tenure^a
0–1 years	45 (30%)
2–5 years	66 (44%)
6–10 years	24 (16%)
Over 10 years	9 (6%)
Did not respond	6 (4%)
Had received training in:^b
Evidence-based policy and programme development	68 (45%)
How to use research in policy and programme development	59 (39%)
Systematic reviews	57 (38%)
Percentage of time spent on:
Policy development/design (mean (SD); n = 137)	11% (6) (IQR 7–16%)
Policy implementation (mean (SD); n = 126)	8% (5) (IQR 3–11%)
Policy evaluation (mean (SD); n = 127)	6% (6) (IQR 3–13%)

^aRespondents were asked to select the option that best reflected their circumstance
^bRespondents were asked to check all applicable boxes, therefore percentages do not sum to 100%. Denominator includes non-responders as well as those who had not received training
^cThis subset of respondents (n = 8) were administered the capacity scales, but not scales measuring research engagement or research use

ISSN: 1478-4505