Measuring the impact of access to published medical research in the developing world

Abstract

Research4Life is a public-private initiative in which a partnership of UN entities, scientific publishers, university libraries, and technical partners have come together with the aim of reducing the knowledge gap between developed and less developed countries by providing the latter with affordable access to critical scientific research from over 48,000 books and journals.

Research4Life’s oldest programme, HINARI, which focuses on bringing peer-reviewed biomedical research to both academic researchers and practising physicians, was launched in 2001 and in recent years has begun to consider ways in which it can assess the practical impact it has had on its intended beneficiaries.

In 2011, Research4Life launched a user experience competition, asking users to share how HINARI, and the other Research4Life programmes in the fields of agriculture and the environment, had improved their work, life and community. A subsequent booklet of case studies celebrated the stories behind some of these competition entries, providing insights into how access to the results of peer-reviewed research from Research4Life publisher partners was benefiting the health, well-being, and economic and social development of communities in the developing world, as well as contributing to greater environmental health and awareness.

In the wake of the enthusiastic reception given to this booklet, Research4Life commissioned external consultant Information Power to develop a broader view of HINARI’s impact, via the...