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Research Impact Toolkit: Media & Communication

Information, tools, and suggestions for documenting the significance of scholarly accomplishments in the field(s) of Media & Communication studies.

What is Social or Cultural Impact?

press vectorFor media content creators and producers who may not necessarily have their creative works cited in scholarly literature, information in news publications, reviews, recordings, screenings, exhibitions, grants awarded, and prizes won, can be indicative of the culture/social impact and therefore of a media creator's influence. 

Impact of News Publications

The impact of a news publication (newspaper or magazine) can be shown by its circulation statistics:

Impact of Exhibition, Screening, or Performance

The impact of an exhibition, screening, or performance can be shown by the number performances, ticket sales, reviews, and where the reviews were published. Information on the performance venue can also be significant:

  • Website of the Venue -- The website of the venue often gives information concerning the history and importance of the space.
  • Annual Giving Report of the Venue -- All non-profit organizations are required to make public an “annual giving report”. This report indicates what foundation and corporate funding an organization has received, which is an indicator of the importance of the venue.

Locate notices of readings and subsequent reviews in the local press using newspaper databases:

Then, check the circulation statistics of the individual newspapers/magazines for an indication of the impact of the public announcement of the reading notice and/or review:

Prizes and Awards

Information on the significance of prizes and awards can be obtained by finding information about the organization conferring the prize, the number and names (if available) of nominees for the award, previous winners, and the publications announcing the award.

 

For information on an organization, the number and names of nominees for a prize, and previous winners, try the website of the organization. Other resources for information on organizations include:

Also, look for announcements of the award in the local press using newspaper databases:

Then, check the circulation statistics of the individual newspapers/magazines for an indication of the impact of the public announcement of the prize or award: