Models For Impact Evaluation of Biomedical Scientific Projects

Relationship between financial value of the grant and the final project impact is complex. Researchers are frequently asked to prepare detailed budget plan and to justify the use of the financial resources. Funding agencies are under pressure to be savvy with their spending and are keen to allocate funds in the most efficient way. Consequently, question of how to measure and assess investment returns in research, remains highly relevant. The researchers still mostly use bibliometric indexes instead of measuring more long-term and significant research impact. In recent years, there is a growing number of frameworks that try to better describe and understand such issues. Research impact assessment frameworks (RIAFs) are defined as a conceptual model/framework and/or collection of evidence designed for research evaluation beyond the traditional academic outcomes. This review is trying to summarize existing methodological impact frameworks in biomedical area. Research showed that project methodology beyond the initial citation analysis is neither a tidy nor linear process. This review will allow researchers and funders to consider pathways to impact at the design stage of a study and to understand the elements and metrics that need to be considered to facilitate prospective assessment of impact.