Qualitative indicators to evaluate the relevance and social impact of public university research in northwestern Mexico

Research’s relevance and social impact are essential criteria to evaluate if the research produced in universities fits society's wants and needs. There is a growing interest in these two elements that have increased publications that explore the most effective ways to evaluate research projects from this standpoint. There are various papers addressing evaluation from a statistical and bibliometric perspective. This paper delves into the experience of creating an evaluation for social relevance and social impact in research through a series of qualitative indicators brought about by consulting researchers themselves. The procedure was conducting six focus groups with 39 Autonomous University of Baja California researchers, organized by different fields of knowledge. The information submitted for analysis from the participants' discussions delved into their experience in both categories. The results point to 5 indicators linked to the relevance, 8 to the impact, 3 to the research ethics, and eight as proposals for the institution. They pointed out the need for a flexible evaluation to discern the differences between academic disciplines. Likewise, they stress the need to further cooperation between researchers and the social and industry sector to counteract the Mexican government's current scientific investment reduction. Finally, they underline the importance of university spaces for disseminating and divulging research results and products.