The Institute draws its distinctiveness from the promotion of an exemplary model of use-inspired research. The model of research has five components:

	Integration of knowledge about the structural dynamics of the institutions and organizations through which laws, policies and programs are implemented;
	Innovative methodologies and rigorous research designs for studying complex problems of contemporary life;
	Research conducted in actual context with a focus on such outcomes as improvements in educational performance and cleaner environments;
	Explicit consideration of the key factors supporting or impeding successful implementation of laws, policies and programs;
	Timely and effective communication of results to promote widespread adoption of practices based on research conclusions.

Over time, the Institute's reputation will derive from the impact that this model of use-inspired research has on promoting durable solutions to important social challenges. We emphasize that issues of implementation and institutional effectiveness are at the core of our conception of use-inspired research.