Usable, in‐use, and useful research: A 3U framework for demonstrating practice impact
Authors: Pan, Shan L.; Pee, L. G.
Journal: Information Systems Journal (2020)
DOI: 10.1111/isj.12274
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In addition to innate curiosity, many of us also see scientific research as a way of making the world a better place. There has been a drive to better understand and observe the practical and societal impact of research, led by researchers seeking to find meaning and purpose in their work, as well as government agencies responsible for allocating research funding to maximum effect. Despite a wealth of guidance from researchers discussing impact and agencies evaluating impact, making practice impact visible and demonstrable remains arduous to researchers because it appears to be possible only at the end of a long and winding pathway to impact. This article presents a framework for demonstrating practice impact as it is being realized progressively, rather than only at the end of the pathway. It identifies <jats:italic>usable</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>in‐use</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>useful</jats:italic> research outputs, with each having cumulative and demonstrable practice impact. Our analyses of existing impact evaluation guidelines and top‐ranked impact cases submitted to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 showed that all thre…