Guthrie Susan, Kirtley Anne, Garrod Bryn, Pollitt Alexandra, Grant Jonathan, Wooding Steven
Rand Health Q. 2016 Jun 20;6(1):6.
The Retrosight approach consists of looking at research that was conducted in the past and, using Payback case studies, tracing that research through to the present day to understand both the extent to which the research has had impacts, within academia and more widely, and how these impacts came about. RAND Europe has conducted three studies based on this approach in different research fields: arthritis research, cardiovascular research and mental health research. Each drew out a set of observations and recommendations for policymakers and research funders in those research fields. By reviewing and comparing the findings of the three studies, we have identified eight lessons which combine to provide a "DECISIVE" approach to biomedical and health research funding: Different skills: Fund researchers with more than just research skills-individuals are key when it comes to translation of research into wider impact. Engaged: Support your researchers to engage with non-academic stakeholders to help their work have a wider impact. Clinical: For greater impact on patient care within 10-20 years, fund clinical rather than basic research. Impact on society: If you want to have a wider impact, don't just fund for academic excellence. Size: Bigger isn't necessarily better when it comes to the size of a research grant. International: For high academic impact, fund researchers who collaborate internationally and support them to do so. Variety: Simple metrics will only capture some of the impact of your research. Expectations: Most broader social and economic impact will come from just a few projects.
“回顾”方法包括审视过去开展的研究，并利用回报案例研究，追溯该研究直至当下，以了解该研究在学术界及更广泛范围内产生影响的程度，以及这些影响是如何产生的。欧洲兰德公司已基于此方法在不同研究领域开展了三项研究：关节炎研究、心血管研究和心理健康研究。每项研究都为这些研究领域的政策制定者和研究资助者得出了一系列观察结果和建议。通过回顾和比较这三项研究的结果，我们总结出了八点经验教训，这些经验教训共同构成了一种用于生物医学和健康研究资助的“决定性”方法：不同技能：资助研究人员时，不能只看重研究技能——在将研究转化为更广泛影响方面，个人才是关键。积极参与：支持研究人员与非学术利益相关者互动，以帮助他们的工作产生更广泛的影响。临床研究：为在10至20年内对患者护理产生更大影响，应资助临床研究而非基础研究。对社会的影响：如果想产生更广泛的影响，不能只资助追求学术卓越的项目。规模：就研究资助的规模而言，并非越大越好。国际化：为了产生高学术影响力，资助开展国际合作的研究人员并支持他们这样做。多样性：简单的指标只能涵盖研究影响的一部分。期望：大多数更广泛的社会和经济影响将仅来自少数项目。
