THE ROLE OF THINK TANKS IN AFFECTING PEOPLE'S

In a complex and interconnected world, evidence based research has became an indispensable tool for adopting sound policies for the progress of societies. Moreover, to many experts, the genuine value of evidence based research has been the extent to which evidence is utilized by people for reference, for influence and more importantly for change in their behaviors and attitudes. With the wake of globalization, and the information age that we are witnessing, welfare and progress of societies have been measured by the prevalence and adoption of good governance principles. Information access and transparency in availing evidence are amongst those principles. In addition, evidence has been always regarded as a basic and natural human right. In many countries of the world, think tanks are the main producers and users of evidence based research. This is because evidence allows think tanks to pursue their dual functions; the advocacy and the awareness functions. The advocacy function targeted at policy makers, is the function through which evidence is provided in the format of alternate policy options helping policy makers design and take sound and rational decisions. Whereas, the awareness function targeted at the general public opinion, is the function through which Page 2 of