It is an ideal of good governance that policies are founded on a solid evidence basis. Research can therefore have great influence over policy decisions, and yet research organisations are rarely wholly unbiased: policy communities are comprised of a range of organisations. Many bring with them policy agendas informed by their beliefs, values imprinted by their speciality. They may be embedded in interest groups. Seldom is a piece of research wholly objective.

To ensure their influence is legitimate, research organisations must be responsive and accountable to a variety of stakeholders: their donors, their members, policy-makers, the research community and internal stakeholders.

ARIA therefore builds on the concepts generated in “Accountability Principles for Research Organisations” to formulate good practices for a range of organisations working in the context of policy debate:

• Think-tanks and research institutes (APRO)

• Advocacy organisations  

• Lobbyists

Equally important are those involved in generating new technologies to improve people's lives. Technological innovation can have a huge impact on the livelihood and lives of people, and can make important steps – if appropriately directed – in alleviating poverty. Recognising this, international donors, private companies and philanthropic institutions spend vast sums on research into innovative products in the health sector, in agriculture, engineering, transport and information technology. We believe that this research should be accountable, and we therefore focus on a fourth category of research organisations:

• Technological innovators.