Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

The following text is drawn from ISNAR (2003).

The partial indicators of impact method involve the collection of information (generally readily available) for a number of items, each of which provides some insight into the extent of the socio-economic impacts resulting from the R&D. Information may include:

• Program inputs;
• Program activities;
• Program outputs; or
• Program impacts themselves.

Once the information has been collected, it is organized and presented in a way that enables people who are reviewing the information to draw conclusions regarding the impacts of the program (and especially changes in the impacts over time). For example:

• Percentage of projects completed during the past year for which the technical goals were met (or exceeded);
• The number of products developed during the past five years that are being further developed or marketed by industry; and
• The percentage of projects completed within the past year for which it is highly likely that the results will be ultimately used by the industry (this one requires and external assessment).

Advantages of Partial Indicators of Impact

The major advantage of using the partial indicators of impact method is that the information required to specify the indicators is relatively easy to collect.

Disadvantages of Partial Indicators of Impact

The partial indicators of impact method provide only a very partial picture. While this can be useful for program monitoring purposes, it is generally not sufficient for demonstrating the impact of R&D, or even understanding what they have been.

Suitability of Partial Indicators of Impact

The partial indicators of impact are the appropriate method for assessing past on-going and future R&D. It is heavily used in monitoring of on-going R&D projects and programs. The partial indicators of impact method is the best method for more fundamental R&D and for R&D oriented toward the development and maintenance of research infrastructures.
 

Source: ISNAR (2003) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment of R&D Investments in Agriculture, The Hague: International Service for National Agricultural Research.