Social Care Research Impact

Identifying Research Questions

If you are the principal investigator, or PhD candidate, then you must identify research questions that you wish to answer. However it may prove useful to consider the process suggested for refining ideas in terms of generating impact at this stage.

Be clear about what your research questions are
Be clear about what answering those questions will bring in terms of impact (how will the world be a better place for knowing those answers)
Build your network (see Network Building) and let them know about your study and the questions you are answering.

Barriers

Concerns may be raised about being ‘too open’ with your research processes! Develop strong arguments (such as increased reach, breadth, quality and impact) to counteract them.
You might benefit from growing and maintaining networks with others at a similar stage of their career, especially if your employer is ‘conservative’ in their approaches to impact.

Enablers

Share as much as you can, as early as you can.
Ask your network for their input on what is already known, the relevance of your questions, and how they would have use to them or make an impact.

Useful Impact Methods to Integrate at this Stage

Useful Impact Management Methods to Integrate at this Stage

VMOST

Storyboarding

Stakeholder Mapping

RATWOE

Brainstorming

APESCTLE

This website arose out of activities from the Social Care Evidence in Practice project funded by the London School of Economics and Political Science’s Higher Education Innovation Fund 5. The website itself was created with funding from, and is supported by, the Personal Social Services Research Unit and the NIHR School for Social Care Research.