Selection and process analysis of Ex Post case studies

The decision to carry out a new ex post case study begins with a dialogue between the ASIRPA team of the Evaluation Directorate (DEV) and the relevant department at INRAE.

Ex post case studies are selected from among the department's "success stories". They recount the story of successful academic research whose results have brought not only scientific advances but also benefits for society.

Between the first contacts with the researcher leading the case study and the finalisation of the study, takes on average six months. This period includes the following two stages:

1. Feasibility assessment
   The department team, the scientific leaders of the case to be studied, and the ASIRPA team test the feasibility of the study. To this end, ASIRPA provides a short decision‑support tool in the form of a brief questionnaire: the "wow-sentence".
2. Information collection and report writing
   The researchers and, depending on the case, the ASIRPA departmental representatives or the partnership and innovation officers, work in close interaction with the ASIRPA team to collect relevant information and produce a report that will showcase the research carried out.

 In addition to the three analytical tools used (chronology, impact pathway and impact vector), the case study dossier is organised in a standardised format and includes, over approximately 20 pages:

• An abstract in French and English
   
• Contextual elements and a presentation of the initial research question
   
• Contributions of INRAE and its partners (inputs)
   
• Research results (outputs)
   
• Knowledge circulation and intermediaries
   
• Chronology: table and timeline
   
• Impact pathway
   
• Description of the different impacts
   
• Generalisation of impacts (if applicable)
   
• Potential impacts (if any)
   
• Data sources and external references corroborating the impacts: quantitative data sources, support letters, etc.
   
• List of interviews conducted with INRAE staff and the various socio-economic actors concerned

This method has been applied to more than sixty case studies, which can be found here.