Examining the Representation of Youth in the US Policy Documents through the Lens of Research

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how US policy documents cite youth research to understand which topics are prioritized and how research influences policy decisions regarding youth issues.

Contribution

It provides an empirical analysis of the alignment between youth research topics and policy document citations, revealing gaps and strengths in research-policy integration.

Findings

Identifies key youth topics frequently cited in policy documents.

Discovers patterns in research that lead to higher citation rates.

Highlights discrepancies between research focus and policy priorities.

Abstract

This study explores the representation of youth in US policy documents by analyzing how research on youth topics is cited within these policies. The research focuses on three key questions: identifying the frequently discussed topics in youth research that receive citations in policy documents, discerning patterns in youth research that contribute to higher citation rates in policy, and comparing the alignment between topics in youth research and those in citing policy documents. Through this analysis, the study aims to shed light on the relationship between academic research and policy formulation, highlighting areas where youth issues are effectively integrated into policy and contributing to the broader goal of enhancing youth engagement in societal decision-making processes.