Research Impact by Hugh P. McKenna

Author:Hugh P. McKenna
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030570286
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

5.3 Disciplinary Issues and Research Impact

Reflection Point 5.1 Soft Versus Hard Science

There is a traditional view that some types of research are more difficult than others and one discipline’s good objective science can resemble another’s anecdotal subjectivity. How could such a perception affect the creation of research impact?

In the previous section, the differences between pure research and applied research were explored with regard to attribution and the time lag between the research and the impact. However, there have been other challenges affecting the ability of different research disciplines to create impact. Impact assessments raise concerns over the steer of research towards disciplines and topics in which impact is more easily evidenced. For instance, the impact case studies emanating from social science tend to be on the development of policy. A mix of metrics is required to capture such impact, including statements from politicians and senior civil servants who draft policies. In some quarters, this is referred to as ‘soft science’. Because of its narrative nature, the impacts of social science research are often uncertain and disputed.

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