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Top tips and tricks to keep library users informed about the impact of research in social sciences and humanities (SSH)

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, impact is defined as having:

a marked effect or influence (on something or someone).

In the case of academic publishing, the purpose of research is to establish a better understanding of methods within the field or across disciplines.

To assess the influential power of research, it is vital to identify effects to economy, society, culture, public policy, the environment, health, or quality of life outside of academia.

Demonstrating the impact of research within social sciences and humanities (SSH) has never been more prevalent.

Indeed, institutions and funders are all interested in monitoring and assessing the quality and impact of research within SSH. Therefore, impact helps to inform researchers so that they can get the most out of their publishing journey.

Why assess the impact of SSH research?

  • It helps to distinguish how far the research is being distributed

  • It assists in identifying what modes of communication are working well and which modes are attracting a greater audience or readership

– Taylor & Francis

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Who uses impact results?

Researchers
Researcher in a black t-shirt sat at a wooden table with his back to the camera. He works on his tablet device with a brown leather notebook and pens to his left. A multicoloured mug and bowls of fruit also adorn the table.

To understand how well their work is faring i.e. what is their most notable piece of research to include in future job applications? Can they use this to gain tenure?

Institutions
Rounded institution lit up with blue lights stretches the image. Angle of the camera is from below on the rainbow painted concrete floor looking up at the building and blue sky with clouds scattered. Displaying the importance of the arts and the artwork is central to the image.

To assess what and where authors are publishing for budgetary reasons, or to assess which departments are publishing the most research.

Readers
An opened book is held in the hands of the reader and perched on aztec printed orange, blue and cream cushions. Arts & humanities and social sciences reader.

To decide where they should be reading, and whether what they are reading is of value. To assess what others are saying about the research or article.

Funders
A black background is splashed with varying neon red, yellow, blue and green investment lines and squares.

To provide evidence that they are funding work that is impactful and relevant.

How does making SSH research more accessible and open generate a greater impact reach?

Open access allows unhindered readership far beyond academia. If more researchers in the Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences departments published their work openly, this would make learning more accessible to those outside of academia. In turn, this could lead to further engagement, discussion, citations, education, and future findings.

Click here to find out the best tools to measure impact