Total Training, formerly Dods Training, is delivering a new bespoke one-day course for HMRC on Research Skills for Policy Making.
The course is designed for those looking to build confidence and competence in identifying, sourcing, evaluating, and applying research evidence in policymaking, aligned with Civil Service Policy Profession Standards.
The Challenge
While many teams use research and evidence in policymaking, confidence levels vary significantly. Common challenges include:
- Lack of confidence in starting policy development and understanding what research is available
- Uncertainty about where to find evidence to support policymaking within HMRC
- Limited clarity on what constitutes acceptable evidence
- Limited experience in summarising research to inform decisions—both within teams and for senior officials or Ministers
- Low awareness of challenges within the evidence base and how to manage uncertainty
The requirement was clear: deliver a step change in capability across all of these areas.
The Programme
The course introduces participants to Policy Profession Standards and the relationship between research and policymaking.
Through structured exercises, participants learn:
- How research underpins effective policy decisions, including its role in the ROAMEF cycle
- How to scope policy problems and define clear objectives using SMART principles
- What evidence is available (government data, third-party sources, academic research, international examples, think tank reports), and the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative approaches
- Practical tools for summarising evidence and communicating findings clearly
- Strategies for working with incomplete or conflicting data, including assessing reliability and robustness
- Approaches to handling uncertainty, such as stress testing, piloting, and using caveated recommendations
- Discuss the use of generative AI in this work – focus on when it’s appropriate to draw on AI.
Learning Through Real-World, Work-Based Approaches
The course is designed around practical, hands-on learning grounded in real policy contexts, building capability rather than passive knowledge. This is delivered through:
- Tools and concepts illustrated with examples from current policy challenges (e.g. clean energy, security and justice, tax and benefits)
- A central training case study, where delegates work through an HMRC-based policy challenge—from defining objectives to identifying and evaluating evidence
- Networking and peer learning, combining presentations with individual and group discussions
- Insights from experienced policy professionals, including HMRC-led case studies offering an end-to-end view of research in policymaking (e.g. non-domiciled tax regime changes)
- End-of-session reflections to support application of learning in the workplace
Driving Capability and Impact
The programme delivers both immediate and long-term impact as participants apply their learning in practice.
Teams report improved efficiency in locating relevant evidence and greater confidence in interpreting and presenting findings to support decisions. They also demonstrate stronger judgement in challenging evidence and adapting policy approaches in response to evolving circumstances.