Why is feedback essential for successful research management?

1 Feedback benefits

Feedback can be extremely beneficial to research management, as it can enhance the validity and reliability of research methods and data, increase the relevance and usefulness of research findings, foster learning and development of researchers and research managers, promote collaboration and communication among them, and improve the dissemination and uptake of research outputs. All of these are important for aligning research with the needs and expectations of the target audience or beneficiaries, creating a culture of openness and trust, and influencing key decision-makers and stakeholders.

2 Feedback sources

Feedback can come from various sources depending on the nature, scope, and purpose of the research project. Peers, supervisors, clients, users, and reviewers are all common sources of feedback. Peers are other researchers or research managers with similar or complementary expertise. Supervisors are senior researchers or research managers who have authority over the project. Clients are external or internal entities that commission, fund, or sponsor the research. Users are individuals, groups, or organizations that benefit from or are affected by the project. Reviewers are independent or external experts who evaluate the quality, rigor, or impact of the research. Collecting feedback from these sources can help ensure the success of a research project.

3 Feedback types

Feedback can be classified into different types, depending on the timing, frequency, format, and content. Formative feedback is provided during the research process to shape or refine the design, methods, data, analysis, or interpretation. Summative feedback is given at the end of the research process to assess or judge the outcomes. Continuous feedback is provided regularly throughout the research process to monitor or adjust progress. Episodic feedback is offered at specific points or milestones to review, validate, or verify deliverables. Verbal feedback is delivered orally in meetings or presentations. Written feedback is delivered in text or graphical form in reports or papers. Quantitative feedback is based on numerical data from surveys or ratings. Qualitative feedback is based on descriptive data such as comments or stories.

4 Feedback challenges

Feedback can be a challenge for research management, as it may not be readily or reliably available, clear, relevant, timely, diverse, or conflict-free. Availability can be hindered by time, cost, access, or willingness; quality can be compromised by bias, error, or inconsistency; clarity can be lost due to ambiguity, complexity, or jargon; relevance may suffer due to mismatch, duplication, or irrelevance; timeliness can be affected by delay, obsolescence, or urgency; diversity may be lacking due to homogeneity, dominance, or exclusion; and conflict can arise from disagreement, criticism, or resistance.

5 Feedback strategies

Feedback can be managed more effectively by adopting certain strategies or practices, such as planning the objectives, scope, and criteria of the feedback, and identifying the sources, types, and methods of it. Additionally, it is important to invite, request, or encourage feedback from relevant sources while providing necessary information and guidance. Furthermore, listening, reading, or observing feedback attentively and objectively is essential. It is also important to organize, synthesize, or interpret the feedback systematically and critically. Moreover, acting on the feedback appropriately and communicating the actions taken is essential. Finally, assessing the quality, relevance, and impact of the feedback should be done in order to provide feedback on the feedback to providers or recipients.