https://www.dfhcc.harvard.edu/events/detail/event/dfhcc-think-tank-how-can-technology-drive-early-cancer-detection/

Think Tank Methods

Introduction

              The term think tank was originally used in military waffle during World War II to explore a safe place where strategies and plans could be discussed, however its meaning later began to change since 1960s when United States used it to describe private nonprofit policy research organizations (Ladi, 2015). The organizations have also flourished, however, in other industrialized countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. According to Merriam-Webster (n.d.) think tank is defined as an institute, corporation, or group organized to study a subject (such as a policy issue or a scientific problem) and provide information, ideas, and advice. In this discussion we will be looking the concept and type of think tank methods that foster innovation and some key points about each of them.

1.       Concept of think tank methods, or methods that are deliberate and foster innovation

Ladi (2015) explained that think tank can be an institute, corporation, or group organized for interdisciplinary research with the aim of offering advice on a various range of policy issues and products using specialized knowledge and the activation of networks. Think tanks are different from government with many of them are nonprofit institutions but can serve both governmental as well as commercial clients. Examples of projects for government clients usually include planning public policy and national defense whereas for commercial clients include projects such as developing and testing of new technologies or products.

Key Takeaways with Think Tank (Longley, 2020):

·       Think tanks are institutions or organizations with teams that study and report knowledge outputs on a wide range of subjects to either governments, private sectors etc.

·       Think tanks usually promote social and political change using their research to influence public opinion.

·       Think tanks’ reports can bring a major role in helping government administrators adopt major policy agendas.

Think Tank Models

Traditionally known think tank model, that began before the invention of an internet, in general, is known as a “one roof” model (Goodman, n.d). Under that model organizations bring a diverse group of scholars meet under one roof, to interact face to face due to communication barriers remotely unlike today. Now, the Internet has made communication easy, immediate, and inexpensive. So, the second model called “without roof or wall” has emerged especially for those who are advanced in the virtual tech. These are much less expensive than the old one (the one roof model).  Organizations contract with outside think tank organizations rather than employ them.

There is another think tank model recently developed by  Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD), one of China's top science think tanks, has published a new theory and methodology to help think tanks conduct scientific, fact-based research and create innovative and constructive solutions (Zhihao, 2019). The new theory or research model is called Data Information Intelligence Solution (DIIS), a model that examines the interrelation of research orientation, process and methodology. There are some systematic issues with the research think tanks such as their purpose, research focus and methodology, as well as how to evaluate them. To tackle such issues, The DIIS model approaches the challenges by breaking think tank research into three dimensions: research orientation, process and methodology, each containing smaller, interrelated components (Zhihao, 2019). When applied to a 3D (xyz-axis), the interrelation of these 3Ds can form a cube-like structure where researchers and administrators can intuitively identify their correlations and find the right tool or basis for the project. For example, if researchers want to examine the meaning of a certain data set (process-axis) for a general analysis (methodology-axis), they can easily follow the axis on the cube and find analytic hierarchy process suitable for the task (Zhihao, 2019). Likewise, when administrators want to find the principles for creating a solution (process-axis) in an evidence-oriented project (orientation-axis), then they can find feasible and reliable priorities.

2.       Highlight 2–3 of them, and discuss some key points about each

Though there are diversified think tank methods or types, the following four types of think tanks are usually observed (Ladi, 2015):

·       Ideological tank: thsis refers to organizations that have a clearly specified political or, more broadly, ideological philosophy such as “advocacy tanks,” institutions founded to research and solve problems and to lobby legislators to adopt their solutions.

·       Specialist tank: this includes institutes that have a thematic focus. The most common subjects are foreign and public policy, but think tanks also specialize in other issues, such as the environment.  

·       Institutional tank:  this include organizations that work not at the national level but at either the regional level, such as the U.S. state-level think tanks, or the supranational level, such as the those based in Brussels that are concerned with the affairs of the European Union (EU).

·        “Think and Do” tanks: these are those that are active at a more practical level, such as in the funding of charity projects, and have similarities to that of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

 

 

Reference

· Ladi, S. (2015, January 13). Think tank. Encyclopedia Britannica.                            https://www.britannica.com/topic/think-tank.

·       Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Think tank. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March               14, 2021, from:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/think%20tank.

·       Goodman, J., (n.d). What Is A Think Tank?                                                                                                   https://www.atlasnetwork.org/assets/uploads/misc/chapter-3-what-is-athink-tank-              goodman.pdf.

·  Longley, R., (2020). What Is a Think Tank? Definition and Examples.               https://www.thoughtco.com/top-think-tanks-in-washington-dc-1038694

· Zhihao, Z., (2019). Top think tank proposes model to improve research. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201906/27/WS5d1463c2a3103dbf1432a9be.html