Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (Apr 2024)
187 Translating for Impact: a free online toolkit for demonstrating the larger impact of your work
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Translational Science Benefits Model offers an approach for evaluating the downstream health and social impact of research. Using the new Translating for Impact Toolkit of nine web-based tools, researchers can create free, secure accounts to plan, track, and demonstrate the impact of their work. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Development of the online toolkit includes 6 phases: 1) Review of existing tools, 2) Development of fillable PDF tool prototypes, 3) Pilot testing, 4) Development of web-based tools, 5) Usability testing, and 6) Refinement of web-based tools. First, we reviewed existing tools for measuring research impact. We then created prototypes of nine tools, published on the TSBM website, and pilot tested with researchers. Based on feedback and testing, we developed and launched web-based versions of the tools. We are currently conducting usability testing with researchers, which we will use to evaluate the ease-of-use and quality of the tools, identify areas for improvement, and refine the tools. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Researchers can sign up for user accounts, create projects, invite collaborators and program administrators, and save progress as the complete the nine tools in the Translating for Impact Toolkit. The tools are divided into three steps: Plan (Roadmap to Impact, Benefits 2x2, Partner Mapper, and Team Manager), Track (Impact Tracker), and Demonstrate (Product Navigator, Case Study Builder, Impact Profile, and Dissemination Planner). The toolkit also includes a dashboard that provides a quick snapshot of translational impact for each project. The toolkit will help both individual translational scientists demonstrate the impact of their work and CTSA hubs evaluate impact of their projects. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The TSBM online toolkit is a free, secure, easy-to-use platform researchers can use to plan for, track, and demonstrate the impacts of their work. The toolkit provides a structured process that will help the next generation of scientists prioritize and promote translational impact in their work.