How can you balance research impact indicators and evidence?

1 What are research impact indicators and evidence?

Research impact indicators are quantitative or qualitative measures that can indicate the potential or actual impact of your research. They can be derived from various sources, such as bibliometrics, altmetrics, surveys, awards, patents, or policy documents. Research impact evidence is the data or information that supports or demonstrates the impact of your research. It can be collected from various methods, such as case studies, interviews, testimonials, stories, or media coverage. Both research impact indicators and evidence are important to show the value and relevance of your research to different audiences, such as funders, policymakers, peers, or public.

2 Why do you need to balance research impact indicators and evidence?

Balancing research impact indicators and evidence is important because they can complement each other and provide a more comprehensive and credible picture of your research impact. For example, research impact indicators can help you identify and track the reach and significance of your research, while research impact evidence can help you explain and illustrate the mechanisms and outcomes of your research. Moreover, balancing research impact indicators and evidence can help you address the limitations and biases of each component. For example, research impact indicators may not capture the quality and diversity of your research impact, while research impact evidence may not be easily comparable and verifiable.

3 How can you balance research impact indicators and evidence?

When balancing research impact indicators and evidence, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as different disciplines, projects, and contexts may require different combinations and weights. Nonetheless, here are some tips and strategies to consider when managing research: align indicators and evidence with research objectives and questions; use a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators and evidence; use a mix of direct and indirect indicators and evidence; use a mix of expected and unexpected indicators and evidence; use a mix of internal and external indicators and evidence. This way, you can measure the immediate, observable impact of your research while also understanding the long-term, broader impact. Additionally, you can assess the planned, intended impact as well as the emergent, unintended impact both within your own field/institution or beyond it.

4 How can you communicate your research impact indicators and evidence?

Communicating your research impact indicators and evidence is an essential part of research impact assessment, as it helps to disseminate and showcase your research impact to various stakeholders. To do this effectively, tailor your research impact indicators and evidence to your target audience, considering their needs, interests, and expectations. Additionally, use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, tables, images, or videos, to present your indicators and evidence in a clear and appealing way. You can also use storytelling techniques and anecdotes to illustrate your indicators and evidence in a relatable and engaging way. Furthermore, provide context and interpretation for your research impact indicators and evidence by explaining the meaning, significance, and implications of them in relation to your research objectives, questions, and findings. Finally, cite the sources and references that support or verify your indicators and evidence with links or attachments if possible.

5 How can you improve your research impact indicators and evidence?

Improving your research impact indicators and evidence is an ongoing and iterative process that must be adapted to changes and feedback in your research environment. To help you with this, it is recommended to monitor and evaluate your research impact indicators and evidence regularly with tools such as dashboards, reports, or audits. This allows you to track and assess your indicators and evidence over time, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your research impact. Additionally, seeking feedback from stakeholders and peers is key to getting their opinions and suggestions on how to improve them. It is also beneficial to learn from best practices and examples of research impact indicators and evidence from your own or other disciplines, projects, or institutions. Last but not least, experimenting with new research impact indicators and evidence can help capture new or emerging aspects of your research impact.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?