Soietal orientation and output products of Dutch para-clinical research groups
Discussions about the societal impact and valorization of academic science have raised the expectation that the societal value of biomedical and health research will become more visible. Measuring both the size and quality of societal output has gained importance, but it is still in its infancy. Our empirical study shows that para-clinical research is definitely oriented towards the society. Para-clinical research groups are active in producing different types of societal output products. Furtermore, para-clinical research leaders have positive views about the increased attention to: (1) set societal research goals, (2) communicating research results to various target groups in society, and (3) interaction with societal target groups. Universities and research institutes are now challenged to invent ways of evaluating the societal orientation of biomedical and health research. They are also challenged to implement this within their internal research policy, by motivating and rewarding scientists who are active in producing societal research output.
Keywords: Societal orientatiotion, societal output, academic research groups, evaluation methods, empricial study
