What is Impact Assessment and Why is it Important?

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore a wide range of performance measures, while acknowledging that of late, outcome measures have become increasingly important. Several initiatives are underway to develop a broad framework and suggest approaches to developing outcome measures for all types of libraries. However, while outcomes may be increasingly used, determining the value of a specific outcome is complicated by the reality that value is determined by a combination of perspective and each individual experiencing a specific library service. Design/methodology/approach -This paper reviews the literature about outcomes and determining the value of outcomes as a foundation for exploring these two inter-related issuesoutcomes and value. Findings -The findings of a number of reports and studies are reported. Originality/value -Separating the question of identifying the outcomes associated with library services and the value of these outcomes are shaped by the perspective of value and determining value will assist libraries in attempting to measure the impact of the services they provide.

Section: Efforts To Identify Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing outcomes and value: it’s all a matter of perspective

Matthews¹

2015

“…While value and impact are generally considered together, almost as if they were synonyms, Streatfield and Markless (2009) point out that impact is the effect of the service on individuals or groups and is therefore about identifying and evaluating change. In the librarianship literature, studies tend to focus on economic value and/or social impact.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Narratives and stories that capture the library’s worth

Calvert

Goulding²

2015

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a study exploring New Zealand library managers’ views on the purpose, outcomes and approaches to measuring library economic value and social impact. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews with library managers drawn from a purposive sample were undertaken in four main centres in New Zealand. Findings – Analysis of the interviews suggest that library managers do not feel under immediate direct pressure to provide evidence of the value and impact of their services but feel that it is important to have data available if required. There was some scepticism about the validity of quantitative data collected and some uncertainty about how to interpret and communicate it for the best outcome for the service. Strong support for qualitative “stories” or narratives was a feature of the interviews. Research limitations/implications – This was a small scale study, limited to just four centres in the North Island of New Zealand. Practical implications – Library managers may want to consider systematic methods of collecting narrative data to support quantitative data. They could also reflect on how to communicate value and impact data and information proactively, using alternative communication strategies and tools such as social media. Originality/value – There have been no previous studies of library managers’ views of measuring the value and impact of libraries in New Zealand. The focus on the purpose and outcomes of measurement in the New Zealand context is also original.

“…Impact seems to be a fairly ambiguous word with Markless and Streatfield (2006, p. 23) calling it a “slippery concept” and Brophy (2006, p. 54) stating that the terminology is “fluid”. Streatfield and Markless (2009, p. 134) discuss the definition of impact that they chose to use in their work Evaluating the Impact of your Library (Markless and Streatfield, 2006, p. xiv) which they took from educational evaluation literature and runs as follows:…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what extent does a corporate information unit impact upon the company in which it is based?

Reynolds

2013

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to discuss the extent to which the impact of the information unit (IU) is felt within the parent organisation. Design/methodology/approach -The paper opted for mixed methods approach combining two survey methods: a quantitative questionnaire with a follow-up set of qualitative interviews. Findings -The IU was felt to have an impact; however, the definition of impact was very difficult to pin down. There is a need to promote the work of the IU. Research limitations/implications -Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may not be replicable. Additionally, there is a risk of researcher bias. Practical implications -The paper could be used to help study impact in other special libraries.Originality/value -This paper seems to be unique in studying the impact of a corporate library using this approach. It will be of use to other corporate librarians and possibly those looking at mixed methods.