RESEARCH IMPACT

Looking to Raise Your Metrics Literacy?

These short and succinct 2-min videos present an overview of the most popular metric tools to improve understanding and facilitate appropriate and effective use. Sincere thanks are due to the following faculty members who offered their generous support. Their names appear next to the episode where their works are showcased:

EPS 01 | Overview

EPS 02 | Citation Counts

Dr. Kevin LO Tek Sheng, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography

EPS 03 | Field-weighted Citation Impact

Prof Kara CHAN Ka Wah, Associate Dean and Professor, Department of Communication Studies

EPS 04 | Altmetrics

Prof Christy M. K. CHEUNG, Professor, Department of Finance & Decision Sciences

EPS 05 | h-index

Prof Jonathan WONG Woon Chung, Professor & Head of Department of Biology

What is Research Impact?

Citation counts are traditional key measures of scholarly works. Impact measurements have however, expanded significantly in recent years to include influences beyond academia. Research impact has a much broader meaning nowadays and can be wide ranging, varied and project-specific.

In summary, research impact is a multi-dimensional indicator and it is important to be aware of the positive and negative effects of each measure. This Guide aims to provide you with basic information about some the most common measurement tools.

Why care about Impact?

Research supported by public money is seen as needing justification. More and more, researchers are required to demonstrate their contribution to the economy and wider society, as well as to culture and the environment.

Funders around the world now expect researchers to demonstrate research impact. The HK RGC has assigned a 15% weighting for impact in the next RAE 2020, requiring researchers to demonstrate the influences of their work according to the six factors listed above.

Watch this 2-min video on why these University of Leicester researchers care about impact.

Top tips

For articulating impact

  • Plan impact early as part of your research design.

  • Organize engagement workshops, marketing and PR activities, etc.

  • Ensure you get credit for your work - get an ORCID ID.

Read Taylor & Francis' 10 tips on how to maximize the impact of your research.