Table 1 Evaluation framework

1. Knowledge production

• Impact within research community

• Number of times review is cited

• Stimulating debate in research community

• Methodological developments

• Other methods of dissemination

• Press coverage

2. Research targeting

• Influence on other research

• Identification of gaps in knowledge

• Follow-on research

3. Informing policy development (includes actual and potential)

• Impact on national or government policy

• e.g. NICE guidance

• Impact on international policy

• e.g. WHO guidance, or international professional bodies

• Policies agreed at national or local level in the form of clinical or local guidelines

• e.g. Guidance produced by local trusts

• Policies developed by those responsible for training and education

• Local or national

4. Impact on practice/services (includes actual and potential)

• Evidence-based practice

• The use of research evidence by different groups involved in clinical decision-making

• Adoption of research findings and health technologies by health-service providers

• Adherence to research-informed policies and guidelines

• Addressing barriers to evidence-based practice (e.g. training)

• Number of mentions in media

• Quality of care

• Efficacy of health services

• Availability, accessibility and acceptability of services

• Utilisation and coverage

• Cost containment and cost-effectiveness

• Services management and organisation

• Management of health-service procurement and provisioning (public and private)