title: An approach to measuring and encouraging research translation and research impact.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research translation, particularly in the biomedical area, is often discussed but there are few methods that are routinely used to measure it or its impact. Of the impact measurement methods that are used, most aim to provide accountability - to measure and explain what was generated as a consequence of funding research. This case study reports on the development of a novel, conceptual framework that goes beyond measurement. The Framework To Assess the Impact from Translational health research, or FAIT, is a platform designed to prospectively measure and encourage research translation and research impact. A key assumption underpinning FAIT is that research translation is a prerequisite for research impact.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research impact literature was mined to understand the range of existing frameworks and techniques employed to measure and encourage research translation and research impact. This review provided insights for the development of a FAIT prototype. A Steering Committee oversaw the project and provided the feedback that was used to refine FAIT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The outcome of the case study was the conceptual framework, FAIT, which is based on a modified program logic model and a hybrid of three proven methodologies for measuring research impact, namely a modified Payback method, social return on investment, and case studies or narratives of the process by which research translates and generates impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As funders increasingly seek to understand the return on their research investments, the routine measurement of research translation and research impact is likely to become mandatory rather than optional. Measurement of research impact on its own is insufficient. There should also be a mechanism attached to measurement that encourages research translation and impact - FAIT was designed for this task.
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia. andrew.searles@hmri.org.au.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. andrew.searles@hmri.org.au.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Searles
authors: Central Queensland University, Brisbane, 4000, Australia.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Doran
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Department of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Attia
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
authors: Darryl
authors: D
authors: Knight
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Department of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wiggers
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Deeming
authors: Experimental & Translational Respiratory Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, Hunter Medical Research Institute & University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.|Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors: Joerg
authors: J
authors: Mattes
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.
authors: Brad
authors: B
authors: Webb
authors: The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Hannan
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
authors: Rod
authors: R
authors: Ling
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Edmunds
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
authors: Penny
authors: P
authors: Reeves
authors: Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Lot 1, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.|School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Department of Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Evaluation; Outcome measurement; Outcome research; Performance monitoring and feedback; Research impact; Research translation