Framework for Evaluating Societal Impact of Research

This report presents a framework for evaluating the societal impact of research, which will be integrated into the Web of Science Research Intelligence platform. The framework addresses the increasing demand for demonstrable societal impact from research and development (R&D) investments, particularly as global R&D spending rises. It identifies three main challenges in assessing societal impact: recognizing diverse societal needs, balancing qualitative and quantitative approaches, and managing the long timeframes between research and its societal applications. The framework is based on an enhanced PESTLE model that categorizes societal needs into eight facets: Political & Policy, Legal & Governance, Economic, Human Capital, Medical, Social & Cultural, Technological, and Environmental. It emphasizes the importance of utilizing a wide range of data sources, including patents and clinical trial data, to measure societal impact effectively. The report also discusses the use of both lagging and leading indicators to evaluate societal impact, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding the implications of research outcomes.