Chapter 22 – Measuring Impact

Measuring impact is a complex process, rooted in the nature of the work it seeks to measure and the stakeholders for whom the measures are important. Because of the increasing attention placed on impact measurement, many individual indicators and tools have been developed. There are both qualitative and quantitative indicators, though much focus has been placed on the quantitative indicators, particularly on bibliometrics. Indicators vary in terms of scope from author-level measures to article- and journal-level measures. Many tools exist to calculate some of these measures, though each unique in their content coverage and calculations. A more holistic view of impact measurement involves methods by which to enhance impact (managing identity, discovery, and sharing) and frameworks to describe impact broadly, beyond individual quantitative indicators. This chapter reviews some research impact frameworks and the most common impact indicators, tools, and methods to enhance impact.