Clarivate Launches New Framework to Assess Research Impact
In the ever-changing world of research and development, Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, has unveiled a comprehensive framework aimed at evaluating the societal impact of research. This initiative responds to the growing demand from funders, institutions, and governments to showcase the benefits of their R&D investments across various societal sectors.
Comprehending the Societal Impact Framework
The recently published report by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) outlines an innovative approach that not only assesses traditional academic outputs but also integrates a variety of data sources to give a detailed perspective on how research impacts society. This framework will be an essential feature of the forthcoming Web of Science Research Intelligence™ platform, which is designed to help users understand their research impact in a targeted manner.
Insights from Senior Leadership
Emmanuel Thiveaud, Clarivate's Senior Vice President of Research and Analytics, remarked on the increasing pressure organizations face to validate their R&D investments. He stated, "With global R&D spending on the rise, it’s essential for funders and institutions to demonstrate measurable benefits in key areas such as healthcare, climate change, and technological advancement. Our new framework equips them with the necessary tools to perform in-depth evaluations that align with an organization’s goals and mission."
Core Focus Areas of the Framework
This framework addresses crucial challenges in measuring societal impact. Below are its fundamental components:
1. Recognizing a Range of Societal Needs
The framework understands the complexity of societal requirements by sorting them into eight essential categories: Political & Policy, Legal & Governance, Economic, Human Capital, Medical, Social & Cultural, Technological, and Environmental. This classification aids stakeholders in comprehending and addressing the diverse nature of societal needs.
2. Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Unlike traditional metrics, the new framework goes beyond basic quantitative measures. It allows for a richer exploration of qualitative elements, thus giving a deeper understanding of societal impact.
3. Tackling Long Timeframes in Research Outcomes
A significant challenge in research evaluation is the lengthy delay between conducting research and when its benefits are realized. The framework tackles this challenge by using both lagging and leading indicators. Lagging indicators assess past outcomes, while leading indicators focus on current trends that may lead to future societal benefits.
Collaborative Resources and Rich Data
Dr. Dmytro Filchenko, ISI's Senior Director of Research & Analytics, highlighted that their method taps into a vast data repository that extends beyond traditional scholarly outputs, including areas such as patents, clinical trials, policy documents, and media publications. This extensive array of data facilitates a nuanced evaluation of societal impact across various fields.
Customizable Evaluation Capabilities
Each of the eight categories in the framework provides detailed metrics that allow for a personalized evaluation process. The overall societal impact for each category will be illustrated in a comprehensive Societal Impact Profile™, with transparency ensured through clearly available underlying metrics. This feature will empower users of the Web of Science Research Intelligence platform to mold evaluations according to their specific needs and standards.
Looking Ahead to Research Evaluation
The upcoming Web of Science Research Intelligence platform represents a cutting-edge software solution powered by AI, aimed at empowering researchers. It equips institutions with tools necessary to better highlight their research impact while driving breakthroughs across various areas.
About Clarivate
Clarivate™ is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, offering enhanced data, insights, and analytics alongside workflow solutions and expert services across several domains, including Academia & Government, Intellectual Property, and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more details, visit www.clarivate.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clarivate's new framework about?
Clarivate has launched a framework designed to evaluate the societal impact of research by incorporating various data sources and methodologies.
How does the framework assist in research evaluations?
The framework categorizes societal needs, combines qualitative and quantitative methods, and addresses long timeframes, making it a thorough evaluation tool.
What sectors can gain from this framework?
Sectors such as healthcare, climate change, and technology can leverage the framework to showcase the impact of their research investments.
Who was involved in developing the framework?
The framework was created by the Institute for Scientific Information, a part of Clarivate Plc, drawing on extensive data to improve research assessment processes.
How can users tailor the evaluation metrics?
Every facet within the framework is customizable, enabling those using the Web of Science Research Intelligence platform to adapt evaluations based on their specific organizational requirements.
