Statement of Research Independence

CDT’s Research team works closely with CDT policy teams to identify research questions, but conducts independent and objective research to address these questions. The Research team is responsible for ensuring that CDT research outputs are of the highest standard of scholarship and quality.

A second objective is to create and maintain spaces that allow researchers (especially those in academia) and policymakers to engage with one another. We do this through the CDT Non-Resident Fellows program, as well as through trainings, academic publications, Hill briefings, workshops and other efforts.

• All our research is subject to strict quality assurance measures including internal and external peer review, and ethical guidelines (including in some cases IRB review).
• As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CDT receives funding from a variety of sources (see CDT’s financial reporting). However, we do not accept funding that can influence the research questions we pursue, how we conduct research, or the inferences we draw from our findings.
• CDT bases its policy positions, research findings, and conclusions on data from a broad range of sources. Sometimes, CDT researchers will speak with funders as a source of information, but views, input, and data from funders are not given any different weight over views, input, and data from non-funders. CDT makes all final decisions on its research outputs, conclusions, and recommendations independently.
• Our research is designed to inform CDT’s policy advocacy. CDT may take positions that sometimes are not congruent with those of our donors or partners.
• Where the costs of a project are supported by a grant, we will make this clear in any resulting publication and related research outputs.
• We will monitor our compliance to these guidelines on an on-going basis and review our procedures annually, making changes to our procedures as necessary.