Assessing Early-Stage Research Results: An Application of Characteristics of Innovation Frameworks

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify characteristics that can be used to assess early-stage research results by research users and research producers of the advanced biofuel sector. Mainly, it qualitatively explores the perceptions of both research users and research producers regarding their experiences with research results. The study builds on the models of Diffusion of Innovation (DoI), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Perceived Characteristics of Innovation (PCI). The findings of this study suggest that the investigated dimensions of DoI, PCI and TAM are applicable to the context of assessing research results with the extra dimension of risk reduction. In particular, some of the criteria used to assess the usefulness of research results are through its originality, scalability and relevance. The findings also suggest that documentation and publication are important to research users: Research users assess ease of use based on the presentation of the research results in their documentation; and they assess the quality of research results based on publications and the reputation of researchers. The findings of this study can be used to tailor research results to research users’ needs, which in turn can be expected to improve the uptake and further development of research results. This will not only permit the push of scientific research results to research users only put also permit research users to inform research needs.