Evaluating research impact: the development of a 'RESEARCH for IMPACT' TOOL

Tsey, Komla, Lawson, Kenny, Kinchin, Irina, Bainbridge, Roxanne, McCalman, Janya, Watkin, Felecia, Cadet-James, Yvonne, and Rossetto, Allison (2016) Evaluating research impact: the development of a 'RESEARCH for IMPACT' TOOL. Frontiers in Public Health, 4. 160.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (764kB) | Preview
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.001...
 
23
1026


Abstract

Introduction: This paper describes the development of a 'Research for Impact' Tool against a background of concerns about the over-researching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's issues without demonstrable benefits.

Material and Methods: A combination of literature reviews, workshops with researchers and reflections by project team members and partners using participatory snowball techniques.

Results: Assessing research impact is difficult, akin to so-called 'wicked problem', but not impossible. Heuristic and collaborative approach to research that takes in the expectations of research users, those being researched and the funders of research offers a pragmatic solution to evaluating research impact. The proposed 'Research for Impact' Tool is based on the understanding that the value of research is to create evidence and/or products to support smarter decisions so as to improve the human condition. Research is of limited value unless the evidence produced is used to inform smarter decisions. A practical way of approaching research impact is therefore to start with the decisions confronting decision makers whether they are government policymakers, professional practitioners or households and the extent to which the research supports smarter decisions and the knock-on consequences of such smart decisions. Embedded at each step in the impact planning, monitoring and evaluation process is the need for Indigenous leadership and participation, capacity enhancement and collaborative partnerships and participatory learning by doing approaches across partners.

Discussion: The tool is designed in the context of Indigenous research but the basic idea that the way to assess research impact is to start upfront by defining the users' of research and their information needs, the decisions confronting them and the extent to which research informs smarter decisions is equally applicable to research in other settings, both applied and theoretical. Beyond research, the tool can be adapted more broadly to prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating policies, services and programs. The authors are working closely with the Lowitja Institute staff to co-create and test the 'Research for Impact' Toolkit with Lowitja Institute-funded researchers and other research networks over the next two years (2016/17).

Item ID: 44921
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2296-2565
Keywords: valuing research, 'a wicked problem', participatory learning-by-doing approaches, research users and information needs, knowledge translation, Indigenous health, Lowitja Institute
Related URLs:
Additional Information:

© 2016 Tsey, Lawson, Kinchin, Bainbridge, Mccalman, Watkin, Cadet-james and Rossetto. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution and reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Funders: Lowitja Institute (LI)
Date Deposited: 02 Aug 2016 23:11
FoR Codes: 45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450417 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health and wellbeing @ 30%
42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420699 Public health not elsewhere classified @ 60%
44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4407 Policy and administration > 440710 Research, science and technology policy @ 10%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920204 Evaluation of Health Outcomes @ 30%
92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 70%
Downloads: Total: 1026
Last 12 Months: 95
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page