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Parliament research and fact sheets

About Research

What is the purpose of research in the Scottish Parliament?

Relevant, credible, and independent research is essential for good scrutiny and informed debate. Within the Parliament, research is used for:

  • committee work
  • constituents’ enquiries
  • preparing for debates

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) provides research for the Parliament. 

What is the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)?

SPICe is the Parliament’s internal research centre. We provide impartial, factual, accurate and timely information and analysis. Members and Parliament staff use this for parliamentary business.

The SPICe team:

  • are information and subject specialists on a range of policy issues 
  • carry out research on behalf of the Parliament's committees, Members and their staff, and Parliament staff
  • offer a confidential enquiry service to Members and their staff 
  • create electronic resources and graphics as well as reports and briefings
  • help to commission and manage research from external providers
  • maintain and publish parliamentary data and information
  • provide library, collections management and documentation services to the Parliament

Where can I access research? 

Research briefings 

We provide impartial information and analysis on many subjects. 

Supporting parliamentary committees

We work with committee clerks to support committees. We bring policy knowledge and technical expertise to their work. We provide: 

  • policy briefings
  • Bill briefings
  • advice on work programmes
  • support in commissioning research

The publicly-available outputs of this work are available in: 

SPICe Spotlight blogs

Our Spotlight blogs give impartial information and analysis on current issues.  Follow now to receive email updates on issues which interest you.

Common Frameworks Hub

Our Common Frameworks Hub will help you to understand the changes which affect Scotland.

Engaging with SPICe 

Follow our Spotlight blog

Follow us on Twitter @SPICe_Research

There are several ways for academics to work with our SPICe team

Back to Research prepared for Parliament