The results-chain framework

The results-chain framework is a type of logic model that helps you trace the steps from your research activities through to real-world impact. It is often used in funding applications to show the clear link between what you are doing and the change you want to see.

By breaking your research down into stages, the framework highlights what you can control, where you can directly influence outcomes, and how your work contributes to longer-term impacts that matter to society, the environment, and the economy.

A logic model:

• Helps you plan for impact by mapping the pathway from research activities to intended results
• Makes your research more transparent and compelling in applications and reports
• Supports a shared understanding with collaborators, funders, and communities about how change happens
• Encourages you to think about assumptions, timeframes, partnerships, and knowledge transfer activities that shape the journey from research to impact

1. Inputs: The funding, resources, people, materials, and time you need to carry out your research activities. Examples include: Grants, awards, existing relationships, knowledge, equipment and datasets.
2. Activities: The actions and processes that generate new knowledge and applications. Examples include: Research and development, engagement, collaboration, learning, theorising and data collection.
3. Outputs: The knowledge, skills, products, and services developed from your activities. Examples include: Publications, presentations, datasets, patents, methods and processes, reports and training programmes.
4. Outcomes: The changes or effects that result from the uptake and application of your outputs. Examples include: Policy changes, changes in behaviour or knowledge, citations, licences, adoption of sustainable practices and media coverage.
5. Impacts: The broader contributions your research makes to society, culture, the environment, and the economy. Examples include: Improved health and wellbeing, economic benefits, environmental sustainability, enhanced quality of life and industry advancements.

The results-chain framework also highlights how your ability to shape change evolves over time. Early in the pathway, you have a high degree of control over what goes in (inputs) and what you do (activities).

As you move further along, control gives way to influence – your outputs need to be taken up by others before they can generate outcomes, and broader impacts are shaped by many external actors and conditions.

By recognising where control ends and influence begins, you can identify the points in your pathway where strategic action is needed. For example, planning for engagement to support uptake, or partnering with key stakeholders to increase the likelihood of outcomes and impact.

• The results-chain framework presented by MBIE is designed to help researchers describe their part in the shared endeavour of impact. Go to MBIE's results-chain framework.
• The HRC pathway to impact model sets out a chain of linked steps to describe how impact can be generated from research inputs. This slideshow guides you through each step: Research Impact Assessment.

Once you’ve mapped your results chain, the next step is to identify and map the partners who will play a role in making your intended outcomes possible.

If you have any questions, require additional information, or need support, email researchimpact@auckland.ac.nz.

Research Impact Team
Email: researchimpact@auckland.ac.nz