There is growing demand for research evaluations that provide evidence of benefits and impacts on policy, practice, and population health. Methods to undertake impact analysis and evaluations have been developing over recent decades. There is a significant range of different frameworks, constructs, indicators and components identified in the literature [1]^,[2]. The terminology is often unclear, with a range of often ambiguous terms and concepts, with limited international consensus. Further, there are limited tools or support available on ‘how to’ undertake an impact analysis at the different stages of implementation. [3]^,[4]  

Our goal was to develop a taxonomy, glossary and associated measurement tools for impact analysis of implementation research, using an onto-terminological approach and which focused on the process of implementation. The GIAF was developed over many years involving various stages and research methods. We have used the concepts presented in the literature, adapted previous research in the field and developed a new framework and taxonomy, glossary and toolkit. Our methods included scoping, development and refinement using a nominal group technique with a panel of subject matter experts for consensus development, testing, use and validation in the real world.

We have developed the GIAF to be ‘fit for purpose’ for any phase of implementation research: the pre-implementation (initiation); early implementation (maturity); or later implementation (evolution) once the original implementation research project is completed. The GIAF includes a toolkit relevant to any sector impacted by the research (e.g., research, education, employment, policy and practice, market, population and society). Critically key concepts, relevant to all health and social services research impacts underpins the GIAF.

The GIAF is registered under Creative Commons License.

• Luis Salvador-Carulla
• Sue Lukersmith
• Cindy Woods
• Tom Chen

For further information or to contact the study team please email:
sue.lukersmith@canberra.edu.au or Luis.salvador-carulla@canberra.edu.au

• Woods, C., Lukersmith, S., & Salvador-Carulla, L. (2024). A mapping review of Proof-of-Concept in mental health implementation research using the TRL framework: A need for a better focus and conceptual clarification. BMJ Open, 14(8), e080078. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080078  
• Salvador-Carulla, L., Woods, C., de Miquel, C., & Lukersmith, S. (2024). Adaptation of the Technology Readiness Levels for impact assessment in implementation sciences: The TRL-IS checklist. Heliyon, 10(9), e29930. .
• GIAF framework and taxonomy – A Brief Overview
• Sue Lukersmith, Luis Salvador-Carulla, Cindy Woods et al. Study protocol for the Evaluation of the Movember and Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant Program, 14 March 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square []
• Salvador-Carulla, L., Fernandez, A., Sarma, H., Mendoza, J., Wands, M., Gandre, C., ... & Lukersmith, S. (2021). Impact of Ed-LinQ: A Public Policy Strategy to Facilitate Engagement between Schools and the Mental Health Care System in Queensland, Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 7924. file:///C:/Users/s442438/Downloads/ijerph-18-07924-v2.pdf
• Salinas-Perez, J. A., Gutiérrez-Colosia, M. R., Romero Lopez-Alberca, C., Poole, M., Rodero-Cosano, M. L., Garcia-Alonso, C. R., & Salvador-Carulla, L. (2020). Everything is on the map: Integrated Mental Health Atlases as support tools for service planning. SESPAS Report 2020. Gac. Sanit, 34, 11-19.
• Romero-Lopez-Alberca, C., Alonso-Trujillo, F., Almenara-Abellan, J. L., Salinas-Perez, J. A., Gutierrez-Colosia, M. R., Gonzalez-Caballero, J. L., ... & Salvador-Carulla, L. (2021). A semiautomated classification system for producing service directories in social and health care (DESDE-AND): maturity assessment study. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(3), e24930.
• Alonso-Trujillo, F., Salinas-Pérez, J. A., Gutiérrez-Colosía, M. R., González-Caballero, J. L., Pinzón Pulido, S., Jiménez González, S., ... & Salvador-Carulla, L. (2021). Evaluación del impacto de un plan multisectorial de promoción de la salud y el bienestar social en Andalucía. (Impact assessment of a multisectoral plan for the promotion of health and social wellbeing in Andalusia (Spain) Gaceta Sanitaria, 34, 615-623. 
• Lukersmith, S (2017), A Taxonomy of Case Management: Development, Dissemination, and Impact. The Sydney eScholarship Repository, Post graduate theses/Sydney Digital Theses (Open Access)
• Chung, Y., Salvador-Carulla, L., Salinas-Pérez, J. A., Uriarte-Uriarte, J. J., Iruin-Sanz, A., & García-Alonso, C. R. (2018). Use of the self-organising map network (SOMNet) as a decision support system for regional mental health planning. Health research policy and systems, 16(1), 1-17.
  
• Technical report (GIAF Taxonomy)
• Technical (GIAF Glossary)

Health and social sectors

• Disability
• Mental health
• Cancer
• Drug and Alcohol

Organisations

• Queensland Mental Health Commission
•  Department of Health Osakidetza (Basque), Spain
• Regional Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Regional Government of Andalucía, Spain
• icare NSW 
• Movember Foundation
• International Research groups - EMPOWER Platform consortium.

Countries

• Australia
• Europe (Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain)
• New Zealand
• North America (Canada and USA)
• United Kingdom

There has been no funding available for the GIAF development.