Scientific impact: opportunity and necessity.
Recent National Institutes of Health changes have focused attention on the potential scientific impact of research projects. Research with the excellent potential to change subsequent science or health care practice may have high scientific impact. Only rigorous studies that address highly significant problems can generate change. Studies with high impact may stimulate new research approaches by changing understanding of a phenomenon, informing theory development, or creating new research methods that allow a field of science to move forward. Research with high impact can transition health care to more effective and efficient approaches. Studies with high impact may propel new policy developments. Research with high scientific impact typically has both immediate and sustained influence on the field of study. The article includes ideas to articulate potential scientific impact in grant applications as well as possible dissemination strategies to enlarge the impact of completed projects.
Cohen
Marlene Z
MZ
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
Alexander
Gregory L
GL
Wyman
Jean F
JF
Fahrenwald
Nancy L
NL
Porock
Davina
D
Wurzbach
Mary E
ME
Rawl
Susan M
SM
Conn
Vicki S
VS
D035843:Biomedical Research; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D014481:United States