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Establishing Research Impact Assessment in Iran: The First Report From a Non-High-Income Country Publisher Pubmed



Yazdizadeh B1 ; Ahmadi A1 ; Najafi F2 ; Mohammad K3 ; Fariden M4 ; Khalili D5 ; Mahdavi M6 ; Rahimpour E7 ; Jouyban A7 ; Kelishadi R8 ; Monazzam MR9 ; Eftekhari MB10 ; Falahat K10 ; Nikooee S1 Show All Authors
Authors
  1. Yazdizadeh B1
  2. Ahmadi A1
  3. Najafi F2
  4. Mohammad K3
  5. Fariden M4
  6. Khalili D5
  7. Mahdavi M6
  8. Rahimpour E7
  9. Jouyban A7
  10. Kelishadi R8
  11. Monazzam MR9
  12. Eftekhari MB10
  13. Falahat K10
  14. Nikooee S1
  15. Majdzadeh R1, 11
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Environmental Health Research Center, Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work Engineering, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
  5. 5. Prevention of Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. National Institute for Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
  8. 8. Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  10. 10. Deputy for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  11. 11. School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

Source: Journal of Global Health Published:2024


Abstract

Background This study presents the first report on research impact assessment (RIA) in non-high-income countries, undertaken as a pilot initiative in 2021. Within it, we aimed to explore the feasibility of employing the ‘payback’ model for evaluating the impact of health research and enhancing the accountability of universities. We focussed on three key impact domains: ‘production of decision support documents and knowledge-based products,’ ‘implementation of research results,’ and ‘health and economic impact.’ Methods We adopted a case study approach to assess the impact of 5334 health research projects conducted by researchers from 18 universities from 2018 to 2020. Researchers were required to submit evidence related to at least one of the specified impact domains; six scientific committees verified and scored claimed impacts at the national level. Results Only 25% of the assessed projects achieved impact in at least one domain, with the production of decision support documents and knowledge products being the most reported impact. Notably, economic impact was verified in only three projects, indicating room for improvement in this area. Technology research exhibited the highest acceptance rate of claimed impact, suggesting a positive correlation between technology-focused projects and impactful outcomes. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of employing a case study approach and the ‘payback’ model to evaluate the impact of health research, even within the constraints of a moderately equipped research infrastructure. These findings underscore the potential of integrating RIA into the governance of health research in Iran and other non-high-income countries, as well as the importance of using RIA to assess the accountability of health research systems, guide the allocation of research funding, and advocate for the advancement of health research. The study sets a precedent for future assessments in similar contexts and contributes to the ongoing global dialogue on the societal impact of health research. © 2024 The Author(s). All Rights Reserved.
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