The term research impact is variously defined in academic scholarship, by national and international research funding bodies, publishers, and other relevant entities, although common definitional elements exist. Concise definitions describe the term as relating to academic research that directly and or indirectly guides policymaking processes, by enabling evidence-based decision-making and or improving understanding of a given subject area or areas <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1 . Underlying this and all definitions of research impact is the fundamental assumption that the outcome(s) of university research will serve the "public good" <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2">2, p. 1368 .