Abstract

This study explores researchers' perceptions of the social impact of university research and identifies the factors they deem relevant in evaluating such impact. Employing units of analysis, hermeneutic phenomenology, and in-depth interviews with researchers from the National University of Asunción and evaluators from the National Council of Science and Technology, the study reveals several key themes. These include social impact as the practical application of research, dissemination or publication of results as academic impact, the transformative link with society as strategic social impact, and tangible products as a concrete manifestation of social impact. A significant discrepancy is identified between research results and their actual social impact. The study concludes that, at the National University of Asunción, these evaluations are in their early stages and that specific mechanisms need to be implemented for their development.

Keywords:
science and development; applied research; impact; university; higher education