Predictions of the outcome of a major policy decision are often uncertain or range from good to worst case scenarios. This requires credible and qualified judgement to support one's position. Decision makers evaluate the political strengths of the viewpoints, assign measures to the intangible factors that make a decision controversial, and arrive at a political victory or compromise that will result in feasible and good policy. The Congress can only try to cope with the ever-expanding number and variety of federal activities by dividing ever thinner the amount of time its members can devote to any one. Their time is too limited to review one hundred pages when fifty will suffice, and an executive summary of three to five pages is perfect.
Research serves as many things.
It can be an information base for decision makers. It can be translated into practical measures and action strategies. Finally, research can be used to effectively support or trash an opinion held by a decision maker. There are different orientations to research. Three orientations are clinical or scientific, academic , and advocacy .