Societal impact is 'the contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment or culture, beyond the contribution to academic research' (Australian Research Council, 2022). There are 6 main types of societal impact: Cultural, Economic, Environmental, Health, Knowledge, and Social impact. The interactive table below contains links to resources and guides that can be used to capture the impact of your research beyond academia.
Cultural impact is the impact of cultural works on the surrounding society and culture.
Cultural impact is when research contributes to the understanding of ideas, reality, values and beliefs. It is changes in the prevailing values, attitudes, beliefs, discourse and patterns of behaviour, whether explicit (e.g. codified in rules or law) or implicit (e.g. rules of thumb or accepted practices) in organisations, social groups or society that deliver benefits to the members of those groups or those they interact with.
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Media mentions in newspaper |
Google News -mainstream media such as CNN & The Guardian PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find news mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find news mentions, both author and article level) |
| Library holdings (number of libraries holding a work) |
Search Libraries Australia to view how many and which libraries in Australia and New Zealand hold your published books. Holdings, translations into other languages and reprints are all measures of engagement. Tick the WorldCat box on the homepage to search and include international library holdings. Also consider sales figures which can be provided by your publisher as a measure of economic activity. |
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| Book reviews |
Selected full text is also available online from APA-FT Australian public affairs full text via Informit (1978-present) TLS: Times Literary Supplement London Review of Books (Print only) Factiva provides access to book reviews published in Australian newspapers Gale Literature provides access to international book reviews |
Search by keywords, title and author for book reviews of your publication. |
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Evidence for specific creative outputs and NTROs |
Refer to the Strategic publishing toolkit's Conferences and NTROs (Non-traditional research outputs) for tips and tools.
University of Melbourne’s checklists for research impact of creative and practice-based outputs. |
The library recommends that researchers keep a record. you can use the Impact tracker or similar tool to document all your evidence. |
| Australian Policy document mentions |
(Analysis & Policy Observatory) |
Search open access policy and practice research for mentions by name or publication. Search Specialist collections or by Subject |
| International policy mentions |
PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find policy mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find policy mentions, both author and article level) |
Economic impact is 'improvements in the nation's economic performance through creation of new industries, jobs or valuable products, or reducing health care costs; improving efficiency in resource use, or improving the welfare/well-being of the population within current health system resources. An economic impact may also contribute to social or health impacts, including human capital gains and the value of life and health.' (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2022)
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| News media |
Google News -mainstream media such as CNN & The Guardian PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find news mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find news mentions, both author and article level) |
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Global economic policy mentions |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
OECD iLibrary User Guide |
| WTO iLibrary User Guide | ||
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | IMF eLibrary Start Up Guide | |
| United Nations iLibrary User Guide | ||
| The World Bank Getting Started Guide | ||
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PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find policy mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find policy mentions, both author and article level) |
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| Australian Government Policy mentions | Use google search tips to find mentions of your name or publication | |
| Patents | The Lens | The Lens Feature Tour |
Environmental impact is how your research makes a "contribution to the management of the environment, such as natural resources, environmental pollution, climate and meteorology. The key beneficiaries are the natural and built environment with its ecosystem services, together with societies, individuals or groups of individual" (CQ University Library)
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| News media |
Google News -mainstream media such as CNN & The Guardian PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find news mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find news mentions, both author and article level) |
| International Policy mentions | How to do a simple or advanced search in UNESCO | |
| UN Digital Library Search guide | ||
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World Health Organisation |
Find mentions by searching name or publication. |
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| OECD iLibrary User Guide | ||
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PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find policy mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find policy mentions, both author and article level) |
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| Australian policy mentions |
Australian Government |
Use google search tips to find mentions of your name or publication |
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State Government |
Use google search tips to find mentions of your name or publication |
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| Legislation and regulations | Ecolex | Search tips |
| Capital Monitor |
Find author mentions in Australian Federal and State parliamentary, political, legislative, regulatory and judicial news transcripts. |
Health impact is “improvements in health through new therapeutics, diagnostics, disease prevention or changes in behaviour; or improvements in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, management of health problems, health policy, health systems, and quality of life” (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2022)
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions | |
|---|---|---|---|
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News media
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Google News -mainstream media such as CNN & The Guardian PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
Searching Informit (News Media database)
PlumX search tips (Find news mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find news mentions, both author and article level) |
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| Policy influence and impact (International) |
World Health Organisation |
Find mentions by searching surname or publication title. |
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(Public Affairs Information Service) |
Search books, and government publications on issues of public policy, politics, government, economy and law |
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PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find policy mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find policy mentions, both author and article level) |
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| Policy influence and impact (Australia) |
(Analysis & Policy Observatory) |
Explore Specialist collections or by Subject |
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(Australian Public Affairs Information Service) |
Advanced search guide (Informit) Search across articles and government publications on health and medicine in Australia, in particular the legal, social, economic and ethical aspects of health. |
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Legislation, Regulations & Government (Parliamentary attention) |
Capital Monitor |
Find author mentions in Australian Federal and State parliamentary, political, legislative, regulatory and judicial news transcripts. |
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| Clinical practice guidelines |
Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines National Guideline Clearinghouse (US) PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find guidelines mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find guidelines mentions, both author and article level) |
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| Clinical Trial registers |
How to search EU Clinical Trials |
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| Patents |
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Knowledge impact is 'new knowledge demonstrating the benefits emerging from adoption, adaption or use of new knowledge to inform further research, and/or understanding of what is effective.' (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2022)
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sharing and data citation |
Google Dataset Search FAQs |
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| Registries or Biobanks | NSW health statewide biobank | |
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Proactive Collection of:
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The library recommends that researchers keep a record. you can use Impact tracker or similar tool to document all your evidence. |
Social impact is 'improvements in the health of society, including the well-being of the end user and the community. This may include improved ability to access health care services; to participate socially (including empowerment and participation in decision making) and to quantify improvements in the health of society.' (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2022)
| Example of Evidence | Resources and Tools | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| News media |
Google News -mainstream (such as CNN & The Guardian) PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find news mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find news mentions, both author and article level) |
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Legislation, Regulations & Government (Parliamentary attention) |
Parliament of Australia (Commonwealth) |
Search Hansard for mentions by name, includes records of invited speeches in Parliament. |
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State Parliaments |
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Find author mentions in Australian Federal and State parliamentary, political, legislative, regulatory and judicial news transcripts. |
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| Australian Policy mentions |
(Analysis & Policy Observatory) |
Explore Specialist collections or by Subject |
| APAIS (Australian Public Affairs Information Service) |
Advanced search guide (Informit) Search across articles and government publications on human rights, social justice, policy, economics, humanities and social sciences |
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| International policy mentions |
(Public Affairs Information Service) |
Search books, and government publications on issues of public policy, politics, government, economy and law |
|
PlumX metrics via Scopus Altmetric Explorer (create an account) |
PlumX search tips (Find policy mentions for an article) Altmetric Explorer advanced search tips (Find policy mentions, both author and article level) |
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| United Nations iLibrary |
United Nations iLibrary User Guide Search for mentions by name or publication |
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Search for mentions by name or publication. |
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| Government publications | Search federal, state and local government websites | Use google search tips to find mentions of your name or publication |
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