A Model for Evaluating the Impact of Humanities Research in Iran

This study aimes to develop and present a model for evaluating the impact of humanities research in Iran.  In the present study, the mixed method approach, which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, was used. The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase used the Meta-Synthesis method to identify the dimensions and indicators of the impact of humanities research. In the second phase, the goal was to validate the indicators from the perspective of experts and a model was developed via the fuzzy Delphi method. The statistical population in the first phase included 58 documents related to measuring and evaluating the impact of humanities research, and in the second phase, it was experts in the field of research assessment based on sampling.  Using seven Meta-Synthesis steps, 6 dimensions, 25 criteria and 123 indicators were identified as model elements for evaluating the impact of humanities research. Fuzzy Delphi was performed in two stages to validate the model elements at the level of dimensions, criteria and indicators and the opinions of the experts were applied. Analyzing the results of the fuzzy Delphi demonstrated that the experts agreed on all dimensions, criteria and indicators, while eight indicators scored very low and were thus removed at this stage. Accordingly, a multidimensional model was designed. Analyzing the results of the fuzzy Delphi demonstrated the policy dimension had the highest, and the social and cultural dimensions had the lowest level of agreement among others. Prioritizing the criteria, in the scientific dimension, “scientific contribution" was the most important followed by, "education" in the dimension of capacity, "innovation" in the economic dimension, "social justice" in the social and cultural, "production of goods and services" in the performance, and "demand" in the policy dimensions were the most important criteria, respectively.Conclustion: This multidimensional model provides an efficient coherent system for evaluating the impact of research in the field of humanities for policymakers and researchers, and facilitates decision making regarding scientific investments.