A shared terminology for implementation research impact: Global Impact Analytics Framework (GIAF) Glossary
This study demonstrated that numerous existing definitions of terms used in research, evaluation and impact analysis of implementation processes are ambiguous or vague. We demonstrate the combined use of two important methodologies, that of ontoterminology and the Technology Readiness Level-IS. We introduce the GIAF Glossary, developed as part of the GIAF Toolkit which also includes the GIAF Taxonomy, Checklists and Ladders/Scales. The GIAF Glossary provides clear and consensus-based definitions that support consistent communication and understanding across international contexts for impact analysis and implementation research broadly. To our knowledge the GIAF Glossary is the most comprehensive Glossary for the impact analysis of implementation research and science.
Authors
- Beatriz Olaya Guzmán
- Germain Weber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1883-3388)
- Elisabeth L. Zeilinger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0625-500X)
- Sebastian Pascal Rosenberg
- David Perkins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9739-7339)
- Carla Sabariego (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6946-0177)
- Giulio Castelpietra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0309-1345)
- Kim Bulkeley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7595-5624)
- Sue Lukersmith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8202-3828)
- James Gillespie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0355-4178)
- Ginny Sargent (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5471-7387)
- Matthew Hamilton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7407-9194)
- Marleen de Mul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3447-5920)
- Cindy Woods (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5790-069X)
- K Hill
- Judit Simon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9279-8627)
- Annette Schmiede
- Gillean Hilton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1551-0914)
- L. Salvador-Carulla
- Tom Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8037-1685)
- Ana Fernández
- Danny Rock
- John Mendoza
- Antoni Serrano
- Mencia Ruiz Gutierrez Colosia
- Frederico Alonso Trujillo
- GIAF Taxonomy and Glossary Expert Panel Group (Group co-authors)
Institutions
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- University of Vienna (AT)
- University of Canberra (AU)
- University of Kent (GB)
- Universidad Loyola Andalucía (ES)
- Government of Western Australia Department of Health (AU)
- Department of Health and Aged Care (AU)
- National Stroke Foundation (AU)
- Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (AU)
- Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (ES)
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (ES)
- Consejería de Salud y Consumo (ES)
- Swiss Paraplegic Research (CH)
- Austin Health (AU)
- Monash University (AU)
- Medical University of Vienna (AT)
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL)
- Junta de Andalucía (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Implementation Science Communications
- Published
- 2026-03-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-026-00906-1
- Primary Topic
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00