Types and models of research impact Sandra Nutley University of St Andrews

Research Unit for Research Utilisation (RURU)

Key message Impact assessment strategies need to be underpinned by realistic ideas about the nature and process of research impact

Types of impact Instrumental – change in policy or practice Conceptual – change in knowledge, understanding, attitudes …and Enlightenment impact

A research impact continuum Awareness Attitudes, perceptions, ideas Knowledge & understanding Practice & policy change CONCEPTUAL USEINSTRUMENTAL USE

Models of research impact Stocks or reservoirs of research knowledge Political and professional environments and wider society

Models of research impact Stocks or reservoirs of research knowledge Political and professional environments and wider society Knowledge impels action Percolation Knowledge grabbing Problem solving or tactical Interaction Co- production of knowledge

Models of research use in social care Research-based practitioner Embedded research Organisational excellence

Research based practitioner Individual craft knowledge and experience Research based knowledge Practice

Embedded research model Research on what works Practice guidelines and tools Training in use of guidelines and tools Scrutiny of the use of guidelines tools

Service delivery organisations Organisational excellence model Developing a research-minded culture Learning from existing research Commissioning local research and evaluations Working in partnership with local universities and research intermediaries

Models of research use in social care Research-based practitioner Embedded research Organisational excellence One size does not fit all

Implications for impact assessment No single model of research impact likely to be relevant for all situations Make choices based on a clear understanding of the purpose of impact assessment activities

Research production User communities Interactions between research producers and users Context within which this occurs ResearchUsers Context May need to consider activities, outputs and outcomes in at least 4 spheres: Interaction

Some funded research may have immediate and recognisable impacts – and some may have none – it is difficult to know these things in advance, especially as impact often occurs far down the line…

Need to be cautious about the consequences of any impact assessment regime