Attributes and levels (domains and impacts) used in the surveys
| Level | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Knowledge (KNOW) | Research replicates the findings of others, helping to strengthen the evidence of how some things work (KNOW1). | Research results in a new finding, helping to focus subsequent research activities (KNOW2). | Research shows that something does not work, eliminating the need for further investigation (KNOW3). | Research reviews and combines previous findings, identifying areas of consistency and difference (KNOW4). |
| REF impact (IMPACT) | Research generates knowledge that is world leading (IMPACT1). | Research generates knowledge that is internationally excellent but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence (IMPACT2). | Research generates knowledge that is recognised internationally (IMPACT3). | Research generates knowledge that is recognised nationally (IMPACT4). |
| Training (TRAIN) | Research trains young people who go on to work in industry as scientists (TRAIN1). | Research trains young people, who become researchers and lecturers in universities (TRAIN2). | Research trains doctors and nurses who also become researchers (TRAIN3). | Research trains young researchers who go on to work outside of science (eg, in business, in the civil service, as teachers) (TRAIN4). |
| Jobs (JOBS) | Research helps create new jobs in the university (JOBS1). | Research helps create new jobs in one town (JOBS2). | Research helps create new jobs in one region (JOBS3). | Research helps create new jobs across the UK (JOBS4). |
| Private funding (PVT) | Research contributes to a follow-up study in the UK being funded by a company (PVT1). | Research contributes to an existing UK research facility being partly funded by a company (PVT2). | Research contributes to a new UK research facility being set up by a company (PVT3). | Research contributes to a company deciding to move a major part of its operations to the UK (PVT4). |
| Life expectancy (QOLY) | Research contributes to the development of a treatment that would increase life expectancy by 3 months for the 10% of adults living with a common disease in the UK (QOLYR, QOLYRC). | Research contributes to the development of a treatment that would increase life expectancy by 6 months for the 10% of adults living with a common disease in the UK (QOLYR, QOLYRC). | Research contributes to the development of a treatment that would increase life expectancy by 1 year for the 10% of adults living with a common disease in the UK (QOLYR, QOLYRC). | Research contributes to the development of a treatment that would increase life expectancy by 3 years for the 10% of adults living with a common disease in the UK (QOLYR, QOLYRC). |
| Cost of care (COST) | Research contributes to care being provided more cheaply without any change in quality (COST1). | Research contributes to better care being provided at the same cost (COST2). | Research contributes to better care being provided at a higher cost (COST3). | Research contributes to more choice of care at the same quality and cost (COST4). |
| Dissemination (DISS) | Researchers talk in schools about their research (DISS1). | Researchers give interviews to the media about their research (DISS2). | Researchers give public lectures about their research (DISS3). | Researchers consult the public to help set research priorities (DISS4). |
REF, Research Excellence Framework.