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Measuring Research Impact: Ngā Whakaputanga Auaha | Non-traditional Research Outputs (NTROs)

A guide to measuring the impact of your research

Te Iho o te Manawataki | The Library has developed a suite of resources to assist creative practitioners in collating evidence of engagement and research impact. Creative outputs or NTROs are often ephemeral, so it is important to collect this evidence along the way. The suite includes four A3 printable resources, each focusing on a different output type: 

Demonstrating the impact of NTROs

NTROs play an important role in the advancement of knowledge across a wide range of disciplines. They can also demonstrate the impact of a university or research centre's work. The range of impacts listed below illustrates the wide variety of areas in which impacts from research across the creative and performing arts may be found to have a clear influence on the quality of life of individuals and communities locally, nationally and internationally:

  • The enrichment of cultural life and public discourse through the creative and performing arts
  • Increased community access and enrichment of cultural experiences through pre-event talks, programme notes and other public and media commentary associated with performances, exhibitions, screenings or broadcasts
  • Contributions to processes of commemoration, memorialisation, reconciliation and cultural development
  • The impact of site-based art practices on how audiences engage with issues such as environmental politics, the histories of contested sites or the politics of land and place
  • The impact of hui ā iwi focusing on whaikōrero, mau rākau or tā moko as customary art forms that shape, sustain and advance Māori knowledge and development
  • The impact of art, design, music, literature and the performing arts on the profile of New Zealand culture and society internationally
  • Contributions to innovation and entrepreneurial activity through the design and delivery of new products and services
  • Contributions to economic prosperity via the creative sector, including publishing, music, theatre, museums and galleries, film and television, fashion, tourism and computer games
  • Provision of expert advice to governments, non-governmental organisations, charities and the private sector that influences policy and/or practice
  • Economic benefits generated by design using new technologies
  • Increased public involvement in literary, musical and other forms of creative endeavour
  • The impact of new expert systems that facilitate innovative community participation, organisational change, financial services and organisational communication
  • The contribution of artistic practices to public understanding of human rights and standards of health and wellbeing.

Need Help?

For assistance, reach out to the Open Research Team at library@waikato.ac.nz.