These potential users can only be reached by producing publications for practice journals, or by running training courses, or by speaking at conferences, workshops, etc., organized for that community. It is simply a matter of counting. Unfortunately, when we turn our attention to a consideration of the impact of information research, we find ourselves in difficulty again. This more complex model necessitates the use of other methods of data collection and analysis which are, necessarily, much more costly and time-consuming than the analysis of readily available citation data. Consequently, citation studies can be used only for assessing the impact of basic, scholarly research and not for practitioner related research because, in general, practitioners do no read the research, and do not write papers in which they cite academic research.
Surveys are more useful for assessing productivity than impact, but they can be used.
In the case study work described below, we contacted researchers on the projects who had moved on, students involved in some way who have moved into jobs, people who bought research reports, and potential readers of published papers. In short, the complex model of research impact requires a multi-method approach if we are to gain a proper understanding of the ways in which research findings can have an impact on policy and practice. This approach was based on the assumption that a rich picture of the nature of research impact could be obtained only in this way. This was an example of a researcher moving into practice and taking what was learnt on the project with him. Subsequently, the services he offered were also widely publicized and, hence, there was a second order effect of the research.