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Table 4 Reported definitions for outcomes and impacts terms (n = 9)

From: How are health research partnerships assessed? A systematic review of outcomes, impacts, terminology and the use of theories, models and frameworks

Terms

Reported definitions

Outcome

• “Outcome measures by which to assess the impacts of research partnerships” [68]

Proximal outcome

• “Partnership synergy—or the degree to which the partnership combines the complementary strengths, perspectives, values, and resources of all partners in the search for better solutions and is generally regarded as the product of a partnership” (Cramm et al. 2011, p. 2) [62, 69]

Distal outcome

• “Sustainability—the continuation of programs to persist for a given period of time to be effective” (Perkins, 2014, p. 6) [64, 69]

Personal outcome

• “A personal benefit (e.g. the attainment of a higher degree, or the acquisition of research and other marketable skills)” [70]

Process

• “Functional capacity efforts and outputs…[defined as the] materials produced through these efforts” [71]

Community-engaged research (CEnR) success

• “Success of a CEnR project is determined by research productivity and improvement of health outcomes” [72]

Impact

• “Impact of health promotion coalition, impact over a sufficiently long period of time to justify the investment of resources” [73]

• “Impact of research partnerships addressing health or social issues” [68]

Ultimate impact

• “Both product and process” [66]