Yet another method for assessing impact, this one geared specifically toward the impact of digital resources:
The ‘Balanced Value Impact Model’ defines impact as follows:
the measurable outcomes arising from the existence of a digital resource that demonstrate a change in the life or life opportunities of the community for which the resource is intended.
Basing my thoughts on this definition, and not some other definition of impact, I wonder why not simply define impact as a demonstrable change in the life or life opportunities of members of society? Why add in that it has to be members of “the community for which the resource is intended?” This rules out unintended impacts. Why speak of “measurable outcomes?” This, too, unnecessarily restricts what might count as impact. Using terms such as ‘demonstrable’ in place of ‘measurable’ provides much more room to make one’s case, in my opinion.