Table 1.

Evaluation framework

Main category	Subcategories	Further details
1. Knowledge production	• Impact within research community	• Number of times review is cited
		• Stimulating debate in research community
		• Methodological developments
	• Other methods of dissemination	• Press coverage
2. Research targeting	• Influence on other research	• Identification of gaps in knowledge
		• Follow-on research
3. Informing policy development (includes actual and potential)	• Impact on national or government policy	• e.g. NICE guidance
	• Impact on international policy	• e.g. WHO guidance, or international professional bodies
	• Policies agreed at national or local level in the form of clinical or local guidelines	• e.g. Guidance produced by local trusts
	• Policies developed by those responsible for training and education	• Local or national
4. Impact on practice/services (includes actual and potential)	• Evidence-based practice	• The use of research evidence by different groups involved in clinical decision-making
		• Adoption of research findings and health technologies by health-service providers
		• Adherence to research-informed policies and guidelines
		• Addressing barriers to evidence-based practice (e.g. training)
		• Number of mentions in media
	• Quality of care	• Efficacy of health services
		• Availability, accessibility and acceptability of services
		• Utilisation and coverage
	• Cost containment and cost-effectiveness
	• Services management and organisation	• Management of health-service procurement and provisioning (public and private)