What is impact definition
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Understanding the Definition and Impact of "Impact"
The Evolving Definition of Impact
The term "impact" has undergone significant evolution and diversification in its meaning across various fields. In the realm of medical publishing, the definition of "impact" is particularly nebulous, often conflating the immediate, transient effects of a groundbreaking paper with the more enduring influence of a review that cites it. This highlights the challenge of measuring impact consistently across different types of publications.
Core Questions Defining Impact
The concept of impact is multifaceted, encompassing both acclaim and derision, confidence and anxiety. Key questions that define impact include: What is impact? Impact for whom? What are its domains? What are its indicators? How is it measured? These questions form the basis for ongoing debates and discussions about the nature and measurement of impact.
Policy Impact of Public Health Research
In public health research, defining impact is crucial for understanding how research influences policy. A systematic review identified 108 definitions of research impact, revealing that most definitions come from research organizations and funding institutions. These definitions can be categorized into four main types: positive changes or effects, measurable outcomes, bibliometric definitions, and use-based definitions. The review underscores the need for conceptual clarity and proposes a working definition that can be applied across various health policy contexts.
Impact in Social Enterprises
In the context of social enterprises, scaling social impact involves increasing both quantitative and qualitative positive changes in society. This process addresses pressing social problems at individual and systemic levels through various scaling paths. An integrative definition of scaling social impact provides a structured approach to understanding and measuring these changes, which is essential for empirical research and theoretical development in social enterprise literature.
Evaluating Research Impact
Evaluating the impact of research involves assessing the significance and reach of both positive and negative effects. A methodological framework for impact evaluation includes five types of designs: experimental and statistical methods, textual and arts-based methods, systems analysis methods, indicator-based approaches, and evidence synthesis approaches. This framework allows for tailored evaluation designs that suit the specific aims and contexts of different research projects.
Impact Investing
Impact investing focuses on creating positive social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. The term, coined by the Rockefeller Foundation, emphasizes the intentionality behind investments aimed at solving societal problems. The Global Impact Investment Network (GIIN) defines impact investing as investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
Conclusion
The definition of "impact" varies widely across different fields and contexts, from medical publishing and public health research to social enterprises and impact investing. Despite these variations, common themes include the need for measurable outcomes, positive societal changes, and the importance of clear, consistent definitions to guide evaluation and understanding. As the concept of impact continues to evolve, ongoing discussions and research will be essential to refine and standardize its meaning and measurement.
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