Technical and Technological Products: A New Frontier for Knowledge Production and Dissemination

Abstract

Introduction: Postgraduate programs in Political Science and Public Policy have increasingly incorporated debates on the applied nature of research and the role of Technical and Technological Products (TTPs) as responses to complex public problems. The emergence of Design Science Research (DSR) underscores the importance of bridging theory, practice, and innovation, in line with recent guidelines from Capes and the PNPG 2025–2029. This article explores the role of TTPs within professional postgraduate programs, emphasizing their potential for social impact and their contribution to solving real-world problems. Materials and methods: The study adopts a meta-reflective approach, drawing on conceptual, normative, and methodological materials on TTPs and DSR, while integrating national and international scholarship, Capes regulatory documents, and concrete examples of products developed within professional postgraduate programs. The analysis focuses on foundational principles, evaluation criteria, recurring challenges, and the potential of technical-technological production. Results: The analysis indicates that TTPs are most effective when structured around cycles of relevance, rigor, and design. The four examples discussed (the Public Expenditure Observatory, the Cultural Policy Toolbox, a Technical Report on cultural data, and a framework for regulatory sandboxes) demonstrate varying levels of complexity, innovation, and impact, illustrating how applied artifacts can respond to specific public demands. Discussion: We argue that TTPs enhance the transformative potential of professional postgraduate programs by generating artifacts that are useful, replicable, and socially meaningful. The study concludes that DSR offers a rich methodological framework for the design, implementation, and evaluation of products oriented toward addressing public problems, thereby strengthening the interface between research and practice.