title: Conceptual model of comprehensive research metrics for improved human health and environment.
abstract: Performance measurement predominantly consisted of near-term outputs measured through bibliometrics, but the recent focus is on accountability for investment based on long-term outcomes. Our objective is to build a logic model and associated metrics through which to measure the contribution of environmental health research programs to improvements in human health, the environment, and the economy. We developed a logic model that defines the components and linkages between extramural environmental health research grant programs and the outputs and outcomes related to health and social welfare, environmental quality and sustainability, economics, and quality of life, focusing on the environmental health research portfolio of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Division of Extramural Research and Training and delineates pathways for contributions by five types of institutional partners in the research process. The model is being applied to specific NIEHS research applications and the broader research community. We briefly discuss two examples and discuss the strengths and limits of outcome- based evaluation of research programs.
authors.affiliation: Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, VA 22201, USA. engelcoxj@battelle.org
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engel-Cox
authors.forename: Bennett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Houten
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Shyanika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rose