ARC Outlines Its "Principles and Framework" for Delineating Research Impact. (June 11, 2013)

Last week (06/06/13) The Australian Research Council updated  its web page, Research Impact Principles and Framework, a week after The Australian allotted space for the deputy vice-chancellor (research) at the University of NSW, Les Field, to write a polite but stinging opinion piece which centred on a simple question demanding an answer which is anything but simple: At what point along the lengthy pathway from discovery to application does it become clear that a research project will make an impact beyond the lab?

In what may be seen as an attempt to find paths to lead to acceptable (useful) answers to Professor Field's question the Australian Research Council (ARC) has produced the following set of principles (paths) after 10 months of deliberations by ten agencies¹ which focused on eight issues².

If the members of the ten agencies who have been designated to effect recognition of  the paths to the Holy Grail of  Impact succeed, perhaps they might then turn their efforts to approaches of overcoming the uncertainty principle.

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Operational Principles

These principles offer high level guidance on operational considerations for implementing the measures and reporting of research impact.

Plan

• Set early and clear expectations on research impact against which progress can be monitored.

• Develop capability to effectively collect data and undertake impact monitoring and evaluation.

• Identify appropriate data elements for effective assessment of research impact.

Report

• Set up reporting requirements that are appropriate to the scale of investment.

• Accommodate multi-disciplinary and collaborative research through flexibly designed impact reporting appropriate for its intended outcomes.

Assess

• Utilise planned performance data elements and metrics to monitor and evaluate outcomes.

• Consider any learnings from retrospective case study analyses, evaluations and reviews.

Promote

• Appreciate and value both intended and serendipitous research outcomes.

• Regularly communicate research impact to stakeholders.

• Be aware of Whole of Government agendas for example Open Access and Open Data.

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Glossary

Consistent with the Impact Principles – the Working Group developed a glossary to assist with a common understanding of language that underpins the measurement of research impact.

PDF Format (368KB) - Word Format (29KB)

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^1. Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies
   Australian Institute of Marine Science
   Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
   Australian Research Council
   Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
   Defence Science and Technology Organisation
   National Health and Medical Research Council
   National Measurement Institute

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^2. Understanding current arrangements for planning, monitoring and evaluating research impact within the above mentioned agencies.
   Demonstrating to key stakeholders (government, industry and community) the return on investment from Australian research activities (both retrospective and prospective).
   Establishing a common understanding of the latest developments, nationally and internationally in research impact assessment.
   Establishing a set of overarching principles and a common understanding of language that underpins the measurement of research impact, and achieves a common use of terminology.
   Identifying possible common data requirements that can be used to verify research impact outcomes.
   Considering new data as measures of impact.
   Identifying cost effective and efficient methodologies for reporting.
   Sharing experiences in communication strategies to promote research impact to key stakeholders.