Abstract
Assessing research impact is essential for understanding research contributions to real-world outcomes beyond academic publications, such as influencing policy, driving innovation, and improving society. It also helps researchers, funders, institutions make informed decisions and demonstrate the value of their work. This study proposes a framework that facilitates informed method selection for evaluating and reporting research impact. The framework provides insights from our critical analysis and comparison of macro-level assessment methods, including bibliometrics, scientometrics, and altmetrics. We also discuss the implications of our findings for Management Information Systems (MIS) research, a multidisciplinary field concerned with various forms of impact. Our framework is structured around the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) four impact dimensions: economic, social, environmental, and cultural. The framework also incorporates temporal relevance and is aligned with three core indicators: evidence, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. It provides a foundation for aligning research outputs with impact expectations across academic and non-academic domains.
Recommended Citation
Kamalpour, Mostafa; Nili, Alireza; and Yigitcanlar, Tan, "Assessing Research Impact: A Framework and Implications for
Management Information Systems Research" (2025). ACIS 2025 Proceedings. 38.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2025/38