The Department determined that justice policy analysts must sift through and weigh conflicting viewpoints about the nature and extent of social, political, and economic changes and problems. Research is useful in this regard by helping to clarify and articulate policy issues, to explore policy alternatives, to implement policy changes in a cost- effective way, and to monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and legislation. Canada's Department of Justice engages in social science policy research to collect information on the workings of the justice system and the likely impact and outcome of various alternatives. Department policymakers and decisionmakers use social science research as an instrument of innovative social problem-solving. Research is directed at finding and exploiting new opportunities that further the Department's policy and program objectives. The findings are also used to supplement other types of information, such as public opinion polls, traditional legal research, and arguments presented by lobby groups.