1. Metrics of Dissemination and Impact I National Science Board, 15 September 2004 - 28 February 2005
SA assisted the National Science Board Office (NSBO) take the first steps on the road to developing a process for continuously evaluating the impact of its policy recommendations, workshops, reports and other products. SA wrote a report which analyzed best-practice methods of understanding spatial and temporal scale impacts to diverse groups of special interests and the broader population, both domestically and internationally; and recommended the implementation of a contact database to be used for dissemination and tracking impacts. SA employed a comprehensive search of methodologies and matrices for the development of this written report. The research focused on three major sectors of the U.S. economy for guidance: the for-profit sector, the US government, and the non-profit non-governmental sector, with special emphasis on examining methodologies used successfully by non-profit, non-governmental foundations whose missions are similar to those of the NSF.
SA conducted qualitative research to understand NSB's mission, strategy, annual plan, tactical processes, and dissemination practices. This research was supported by a literature search, analysis and development of a matrix of the strength and weaknesses of each methodology; including cost estimates for each approach. Then each methodology was ranked and graded for the likelihood that it would help the NSB to achieve its dissemination and impact goals. SA delivered this data in report form to the NSB, along with recommendations for the methodologies that the NSBO could pursue, and the justification for choosing selected approaches. SA also submitted a description of an innovative use of contact databases for communication and tracking. These databases, when integrated with a web-based front end, would provide the NSBO with significant capability for gathering data and disseminating information in an automated and efficient manner.
Dr. Steve Wax
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
Science & Technology Consulting
