Beyond dissemination: measuring evidence uptake.
DER tracks what happens after publication, connecting communication outputs to real-world use, follow-through and institutional value - an altmetrics-style evidence-to-impact layer tailored for institutional reports, statistics, grey literature and datasets, not only journal articles.
15
Published outputs
6
Publications tracked
540+
Impact signals captured
Illustrative figures from a demonstration corpus.
Attention, use, uptake and follow-through.
Attention
Was it seen?
Views, downloads, media mentions, social engagement, news references and public discussion signals.
Use
Was it opened and acted on?
Website sessions, document downloads, citations, brief requests, API pulls and repeat access.
Uptake
Was it cited or referenced?
Evidence cited in policy, planning, budgets, programme design, donor reports or academic work.
Follow-through
Did it change a decision?
Requests for training, capacity building, data access, collaboration or commercialization.
Reach is useful, but it is only the first rung of evidence impact.
A practical ladder of six value layers, from finding the right record to sustained follow-through. Each layer names the evidence needed to count it.
Value layer
Example indicators
Evidence required
Value layer
Findability and trust
Example indicators
Search success; time to authoritative record; metadata completeness; duplicate and obsolete items resolved.
Evidence required
System logs, metadata audits, user tests.
Value layer
Efficiency
Example indicators
Time from source to approved product; reviewer turnaround; reuse across products; staff hours saved.
Evidence required
Workflow timestamps, baseline comparison.
Value layer
Reach and engagement
Example indicators
Downloads, views, media and social attention, subscriptions, event or stakeholder engagement.
Evidence required
Channel analytics with de-duplication rules.
Value layer
Use
Example indicators
Citations, downloads for reuse, requests, briefings, incorporation into analysis or proposals.
Evidence required
Document links, user confirmation, recorded activity.
Value layer
Uptake
Example indicators
Evidence adopted in policy, budget, guideline, programme design, funding or organisational decision.
Evidence required
Validated impact case with decision artefact and verifier.
Value layer
Follow-through and outcome
Example indicators
Implementation milestones, replication, sustained practice or measurable outcome contribution.
Evidence required
Owner confirmation, implementation records and contribution narrative.
A verified narrative from output to institutional result.
An impact case links an output to a decision, action, investment, public conversation or institutional result - giving funders, leadership and programme teams evidence that dissemination is producing results.
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Partner with DACORIS EvidenceReach to move from publication to public value.