The 21 st Conference on Library and Research Services for Parliaments &

1. The 21st Conference on Library and Research Services for Parliaments & The 71st IFLA Conference, Oslo, 2005 Dr. Jacob Warshavsky Director of the Knesset Research & Information Center JW-1

2. Question What is the role of the Research & Information Services in the Parliamentary Processes? JW-2

3. To see what everyone sees, To analyze and understand what no one understood before Answer To provide service to the parliament To be the first resource the parliamentarians consult with when in need for R&I To improve legislative decision making To provide expertise on legislation To strengthen Democracy The Added Value JW-3

4. Frame of Reference The Knesset The RIC The Conceptual Model Analytical Analysis Empirical Research Attitude Measurement Illustration of Findings Mapping Procedures Data Analysis Survey Agenda JW-4

5. Single Chamber 120 Members (MKs’) 13 Parliamentary Groups (16th Knesset) 12 Permanent committees (Constitution, Economics, Foreign Affairs & Defense, Finance…) 5 Ad-Hoc committees 30+ MKs - Ministers & Deputies Unique characteristic – “Intensive Legislator” Ann. average of laws passed ~100 Ann. average of bills presented ~ 1000 Ann. average of bills presented by MKs’ ~ 844 The Knesset HIGHLIGHTS (Parliament of Israel) - JW-5

6. Director Secretary Help Desk Standards Economics & Finance Department Technology Department Information Department Research Department Logistic Coordinator Team Leaders Desk Heads Committees Committees Law Social Committees Comparative Economics Committees Annual # of research papers (2002-2005) ~ 500 Total: 35-40 Researchers (Economists, Social Sc., Lawyers, Interdisciplinary, part time jobs, Av Age 30+ …) The Knesset Research & Information Center (RIC) JW-6

7. “There are three ways to advance knowledge, The first two being the two forms of logic, induction and deduction. The third is the search for a significant structure.” Bertrand Russell, My Philosophical Development, 1959. The purpose of the presentation is to identify and structure the operative strategic goals of Research and Information organizations within Parliamentary Processes. The Conceptual Model JW-7

8. Legislation The Scope of Services Normative Approach Positive Approach Supervision of Government Facts & Figures Information Briefings Analysis Applied Research Presentations What ought to be? What should be done? How should be delivered? What is? When it is? Where? Whether the service is relevant? Debate of Public Issues Rules & Procedures Rules & Procedures The Theoretical Approach Analytical Analysis - a rationalistic mode that focuses on the laws, rules and processes that underlie parliamentary work in order to identify the relevant research services that should be embedded in the parliamentary processes. Empirical Analysis - a study that transforms the requests of MPs and parliamentary committees into generalizations regarding the usage of R&I services. Attitude Measurement Attitude Measurement - a survey that examines MPs’ opinions and perceptions regarding the services provided by a research and information department JW-8

9. Normative Approach - Mapping of Legislation Processes Government bill Committee bill Private bill The Speaker & Deputies Preliminary Reading Deliberation in Committee 1st Reading Preparation in Committee 2nd Reading 3rd Reading Approval of Law JW-9

10. Preparation of the bill by the MK, with assistance from the Legal Department Approval by the Knesset Presidium Tabling of the Bill 45 days Preliminary Reading for against (6 months) Deliberation in a Knesset committeePublication of bill in Official Gazette First Reading for against (6 months) Continuation of deliberation in committee, with reservations Second Reading Voting on reservations, if any, and on individual articles of the bill for against (6 months) Third ReadingVoting on the entire bill including reservations already accepted for against Publication of the law in the Official Gazette and the Law Book Legislative Process – Private Member’s Bill JW-10

11. Mapping the supervision of the Government Activities Approval of laws presented by the Government Demanding Information from the Government (Plenum & Committees) Presentation and Deliberations in the State Control Committee Public debates on matters of state (Plenum & Committees) JW-11

12. Legislation - 55% Legislation -21% Internal – 1% Personal – 4% Supervisor y - 35% Supervisor y – 65% Public agenda – 6% Public agenda – 13% Positive Analysis (illustration) Analysis of requests for R.I.C Services according to functions of the legislative branch Analysis of requests for R.I.C Services according to functions of the legislative branch Requests from MK's Requests from MK's Requests from MK's Requests from MK's Requests from MK's Requests from committees Requests from committees Requests from committees Requests from committees Requests from committees JW-12

13. Comparative Analysis (Legislation) 10% Data / Information (Israel) 7% Comparative Analysis (Legislation) 27% Data / Information (Israel) 38% Economic Analysis 1% Comparative (General) 6% Comparative (General) 6% Presentation of issue 13% Economic Analysis 16% Presentation of issue 76% Positive Analysis (illustration) Analysis of requests for R.I.C Services according to type of document requested Requests from MK's Requests from committees JW-13

14. Measurement Analysis (illustration) Type of information you are interested in receiving from R.I.C 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Raw information data only presentation of issue positions on the issue international Critical analysis Recommendations for action comparison JW-14

15. Quality of Information* 10 10 9 53% 24% 33% Reliability of Information* >5 9 5% 33% 8 8 38% 14% 10 Scope of Information* 9 Timeliness* 24% 9 38% 10 29% 24% >7 >7 14% 8 8 14% 33% 24% Attitude Analysis (illustrations) *On a scale of 1-10 JW-15

16. EMPIRIAL DATA PROCEDURES PERCEPTIONS PROCESSES ATTITUDE REALITY Integration JW-16

17. THE END Dr. Jacob Warshavsky jacobw@knesset.gov.il JW-17