Examples
Worked examples
- Is an instance
Research on stroke rehabilitation leads to revised NICE guidance and measurable changes in clinical practice.
- Is an instance
Engineering research informs a national infrastructure standard adopted across the construction sector.
Counter-examples
Looks similar, but isn't
- Not an instance
Listing media coverage without linking to a documented change beyond academia.
- Not an instance
Claiming impact based on a press release with no downstream evidence.
Editorial commentary
Research impact is defined in the UK REF as 'an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia'. Conceptually it is distinguished from academic impact (effects within research communities) and is operationalised through case studies, theory-of-change frameworks, beneficiaries, and evidence of pathways from research to outcomes. Impact assessment is methodologically challenging because effects are diffuse, multi-causal and may emerge over long timescales. Frameworks include payback (Wellcome), the SIAMPI productive interactions approach, and contribution analysis.
References
- REF 2021 panel criteria. Wellcome Trust 'Medical research: What's it worth?' (Buxton M, Hanney S). UKRI Research Impact framework.
Also known as
Impact (research) · External research impact
Machine-readable encodings
Use in your systems
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