Impact: The search for the science that matters

Impact: The search for the science that matters - Nature Specials

Every government and organization that funds research wants to support science that makes a difference — by opening up new academic vistas, stimulating innovation, influencing public policies or directly improving people's lives. But separating the best from the rest has never been harder. This Nature special issue examines, through journalism and comment, how the impact of research is traced and measured — and asks whether today's evaluation systems elevate the most influential science.