Measuring societal impact: how to go beyond standard publication metrics

Approaches to capturing the benefits of research on society are improving — but huge challenges remain.

  1. Chris Woolston
    1. Chris Woolston is a freelance writer in Billings, Montana.

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    Every researcher wants their work to matter — and increasing competition for funding is compelling scientists to show their worth. But what is the real value of an experiment, a finding or a public lecture?

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    Nature 614, 375-377 (2023)

    Updates & Corrections

    References

    1. Szomszor, M. & Adie, E. Quant. Sci. Stud.3, 624–650 (2022). ArticleGoogle Scholar
    2. Dutta, S., Lanvin, B., León, L. R. & Wunsch-Vincent, S. (eds) Global Innovation Index 2022 15th edn (WIPO, 2022). Google Scholar
    3. AUTM 2020 Licensing Activity Survey (AUTM, 2020).
    4. Ciarli, T. (ed.) Changing Directions: Steering Science, Technology and Innovation Towards the Sustainable Development Goals (STRINGS, 2022). Google Scholar
    5. Kassab, O., Bornmann, L. & Haunschild, R. Quant. Sci. Stud.1, 792–809 (2020). ArticleGoogle Scholar
    6. Coombs, S. & Meijer, I. Sci. Public Policy48, 226–234 (2021). ArticleGoogle Scholar

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