Research impact assessment: Developing and applying a viable model for the social sciences

Abstract

Prompted by research funding agencies and regulatory bodies, universities need to demonstrate and manage the impact of their research. Therefore, models for evaluating research impacts that can be applied quickly and at a reasonable cost are needed. However, the development of these models presents considerable challenges: research impact is multidimensional and can occur over time because of multiple interactions between different agents. Furthermore, impact assessment can demand substantial time and resources. Considering this challenging context, this study proposes a research impact assessment model capable of optimizing benefits and costs. The model was based on a multidimensional impact perspective and an application-oriented way of generating and transmitting knowledge. It was applied to a large teaching and research institution with a predominant role in the social sciences. The assessment involved a survey of the leaders of 133 research projects. The main findings of the application of the assessment model were as follows: first, knowledge production is transitioning from a traditional mode (aimed to impact science) to a new mode (aimed to impact multiple stakeholders); second, project leaders still perceive the prevalence of scientific impact over other types of impact; and third, the survey revealed how certain characteristics of the knowledge production mode relate to (perceived) impact. The viable research impact assessment model was demonstrated to be useful and cost-effective; thus, with adaptations and improvements, it may be used by other institutions, particularly those with internal research funding programs. This article also presents the model’s limitations, suggesting directions for future research.