Now that you have already realized the impact of doing researches in your life, how can you now say that research is important considering that it may have weaknesses at some aspects?
This post is 10 minute read. Here is your 1 minute summary:
Research impact is real change in the real world.
There are many different kinds of impact including attitudinal, awareness, economic, social, policy, cultural and health.
It takes hard work and persistence to create impact from research.
Impact is achieved through several steps that include helping relevant audiences to discover, connect with, understand, apply and advocate for research.
Impact is best achieved through stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle of a project.
National assessment programmes and funding agencies are placing increased emphasis on dissemination and impact evaluation, particularly outside of academia.
Evidencing and measuring impact are controversial and fast developing areas – likely to comprise a mix of quantitative indicators and qualitative reviews.
Researchers will need to develop new skills and capabilities to demonstrate ability to create impact, which could become central to career progression and institutional reputation.
Find out more about our new platform to help you plan and manage communications to maximize the impact potential of your research.
1. What is research impact?
Screen Shot 2019-08-23 at 12.05.07You will find several definitions of impact from funders and universities, for example:
US National Institutes of Health: The likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved.
Research England: An effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.
US National Science Foundation: The potential [for your research] to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of desired society outcomes.
Australian Research Council: The contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment or culture, beyond the contribution to academic research.
While there are some subtle differences, they broadly agree that “impact” means demonstrable and beneficial change in behaviours, beliefs and practices. At Kudos, we like the simplicity of this definition from Julie Bayley, Director of Research Impact at the University of Lincoln:
“Provable change [benefit] of research in the ‘real world’.”
The real world part is key. Traditionally, assessment of impact has focused too much on academic impact – whereas, in reality, impact is measured by indicators of change outside universities and research institutions, in the real world.
Having defined impact at this high level, it’s then possible to define a number of types of impact. Professor Mark Reed, Director of Engagement & Impact at Newcastle University, has analyzed impact case studies from around the world, and proposes ten types of impact:
Understanding and awareness – meaning your research helped people understand an issue better than they had before
Attitudinal – your research helped lead to a change in attitudes
Economic – your research contributed to cost savings, or costs avoided; or increases in revenue, profits or funding
Environmental – benefits arising from your research aid genetic diversity, habitat conservation and ecosystems
Health and well-being – your research led to better outcomes for individuals or groups
Policy – your research contributed to new or amended guidelines or laws
Other forms of decision-making and behavioural impacts
Cultural – changes in prevailing values, attitudes and beliefs
Other social impacts –such as access to education or improvement in human rights
Capacity or preparedness – research that helps individuals and groups better cope with changes that might otherwise have a negative impact.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
This post is 10 minute read. Here is your 1 minute summary:
Research impact is real change in the real world.
There are many different kinds of impact including attitudinal, awareness, economic, social, policy, cultural and health.
It takes hard work and persistence to create impact from research.
Impact is achieved through several steps that include helping relevant audiences to discover, connect with, understand, apply and advocate for research.
Impact is best achieved through stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle of a project.
National assessment programmes and funding agencies are placing increased emphasis on dissemination and impact evaluation, particularly outside of academia.
Evidencing and measuring impact are controversial and fast developing areas – likely to comprise a mix of quantitative indicators and qualitative reviews.
Researchers will need to develop new skills and capabilities to demonstrate ability to create impact, which could become central to career progression and institutional reputation.
Find out more about our new platform to help you plan and manage communications to maximize the impact potential of your research.
1. What is research impact?
Screen Shot 2019-08-23 at 12.05.07You will find several definitions of impact from funders and universities, for example:
US National Institutes of Health: The likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved.
Research England: An effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.
US National Science Foundation: The potential [for your research] to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of desired society outcomes.
Australian Research Council: The contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment or culture, beyond the contribution to academic research.
While there are some subtle differences, they broadly agree that “impact” means demonstrable and beneficial change in behaviours, beliefs and practices. At Kudos, we like the simplicity of this definition from Julie Bayley, Director of Research Impact at the University of Lincoln:
“Provable change [benefit] of research in the ‘real world’.”
The real world part is key. Traditionally, assessment of impact has focused too much on academic impact – whereas, in reality, impact is measured by indicators of change outside universities and research institutions, in the real world.
Having defined impact at this high level, it’s then possible to define a number of types of impact. Professor Mark Reed, Director of Engagement & Impact at Newcastle University, has analyzed impact case studies from around the world, and proposes ten types of impact:
Understanding and awareness – meaning your research helped people understand an issue better than they had before
Attitudinal – your research helped lead to a change in attitudes
Economic – your research contributed to cost savings, or costs avoided; or increases in revenue, profits or funding
Environmental – benefits arising from your research aid genetic diversity, habitat conservation and ecosystems
Health and well-being – your research led to better outcomes for individuals or groups
Policy – your research contributed to new or amended guidelines or laws
Other forms of decision-making and behavioural impacts
Cultural – changes in prevailing values, attitudes and beliefs
Other social impacts –such as access to education or improvement in human rights
Capacity or preparedness – research that helps individuals and groups better cope with changes that might otherwise have a negative impact.
Explanation: