A meta-analysis of NPL's impact case studies: charting NPL's economic and societal benefit mechanisms
Abstract
Using a large sample of case studies generated by NPL over the last 20 years as a dataset, a “meta-synthesis” was used by NPL for the first time, in which these case studies were linked to one of NPL’s four sectors; and then coded with regards to a range of indicators, according to common criteria, which included three distinct types of impact. This analysis has generated three main results: Identification of impact profiles for each of NPL’s sectors; Evidence of marked differences in the orientation of such impact profiles among NPL’s sectors; Provision of better qualitative evidence to inform and guide future programme management. The location of each of NPL’s sector was evidenced within a three-dimensional impact space, whose dimensions are: ‘direct impacts’; ‘indirect impacts’; and ‘future impacts’. Moreover, a sector’s orientation in this impact-space gives an indication of its phase of development within the conventional technology lifecycle. From the analysis conducted, we see the following orientations for each of NPL’s sectors: Advanced Manufacturing is a more mature sector compared its counterparts, with high levels of direct impact; whilst Digital & Quantum is still at a youthful phase of the lifecycle, with high levels of future impacts. The two remaining sectors - Health & Life Sciences and Energy & Environment - are each producing high current impacts, as well as, high future impacts.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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