A research paper can be high quality yet have no real-world influence because publication represents output, not uptake. Academic systems still prioritize citations and publication counts over evidence of real use. But real impact comes when research informs decisions, changes practice, or improves outcomes. To achieve this, researchers must shift from focusing solely on outputs to designing uptake pathways and tracking multi-level indicators of use and impact.
Why Publication Alone Is Not Enough
Traditional research metrics often fail to measure real impact:
• Publications and citations are limited metrics.
Citation counts, impact factors, and h-index reflect academic attention but not societal use or decision influence. The h-index measures citation frequency but cannot capture non-academic influence. Wikipedia
• Downloads, views, and altmetrics show attention, not adoption.
Altmetrics track mentions, downloads, and social shares but still do not confirm that evidence influenced decisions or changed behaviour. Wikipedia
• Impact factor use is contested.
Global research assessment manifestos such as the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) explicitly warn against over-reliance on journal impact factors. Wikipedia
Publication should instead be a step within a larger research uptake pathway that moves from awareness to real use.
Understanding Research Uptake and Use
Research uptake is the process through which research findings are recognized, considered, and used by stakeholders for decisions, practices, or policy.
Critical Uptake Gaps Many Researchers Don’t Measure
1. Awareness ≠ Adoption
Views, downloads, and mentions are signals of awareness not evidence of use in decision-making.
2. Citations ≠ Real Use
Policy documents, guidelines, practice manuals, and organisational decisions often incorporate research without traditional citation practices.
3. Undefined Pathway to Use
If research projects fail to specify who should use results, when, where, and how, driving uptake becomes wishful rather than systematic.
4. Lack of Multi-Level Indicators
Impact occurs in stages:
Awareness → Engagement → Trial/Integration → Institutionalisation → Outcome change.
Many teams stop tracking at awareness, never reaching outcome indicators.
5. Evidence Packaging Matters
Long academic articles rarely influence practice alone. Briefs, tools, datasets, visual summaries, guidelines, and decision aids serve as essential uptake infrastructure.
6. Timing and Decision Cycles
Research impacts when aligned with decision windows like budget cycles, policy reviews, or planning processes.
7. Equity of Uptake
Uptake often favours well-resourced institutions unless dissemination is designed for accessibility.
Measuring Research Uptake and Use: Indicators and Frameworks
To measure research uptake, you need meaningful, relevant indicators, and a framework that maps how research leads to use and impact.
Common Impact Indicators
Examples researchers use include:
- Number of users or stakeholders who adopt recommendations
- Changes in policies or practice documents
- Uptake metrics in target groups or systems
- Economic or social benefits resulting from use
- Institutional changes or new programmes launched
- Participation in expert groups, committees, or policy consultations The University of Sydney
Frameworks for Impact Measurement
Payback Framework
A widely applied model linking research activities to benefits across knowledge, policy, health, and economic areas. Springer
Impact Pathways
Connect project inputs, activities, outputs, uptake, and outcomes, making the theory of change explicit. blog.aje.com
Altmetrics for Broader Attention
Altmetrics provide early signals of attention across non-academic channels but must be interpreted with purpose. Wikipedia
Practical Steps to Measure Real Impact
To build a robust research uptake and use plan:
1. Define Stakeholders and Decisions
Identify who will use the research and what decisions or practices it should influence.
2. Set SMART Impact Indicators
Choose indicators that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
KPIs might include policy citations, practice change records, or adoption percentages. Oulun yliopisto
3. Build a Monitoring System
Instrument data collection around engagement events, decision outcomes, and uptake milestones.
4. Collect Qualitative Feedback
Testimonials, surveys, and stakeholder interviews validate whether research helped change decisions.
5. Tailor Dissemination Products
Create briefs, summaries, datasets, and tools for target audiences in addition to academic publications.
Visual Guides for Research Uptake Measurement
Figure: Research Uptake Pathway
| Indicator Type | Example |
| Awareness | Downloads, views |
| Engagement | Workshops, media features |
| Adoption | Policy changes, practice uptake |
| Outcome | Improved health outcomes, cost savings |
Table: Types of Indicators
References
- Payback Framework for research impact measurement — Health Research Policy and Systems (Springer)
- Altmetrics: Alternative research impact metrics — Wikipedia
- KPIs for research impact measurement — University of Oulu
https://www.oulu.fi/en/impacthelper/measuring-impact Oulun yliopisto - San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) — Wikipedia
- Examples of impact indicators — University of Sydney Researcher Hub
How do you currently measure the real-world use of your research, and what challenges have you encountered? Share your insights below.
Want research service from Research & Report experts? Please get in touch with us.