Impact from research data was developed most frequently through improved institutional processes and methods (40% UK; 33% Australia). This relates to improving the way an institution operates, making it more efficient or effective at delivering outcomes.
The second most common way of asia rcs data developing impact was via a report (40% UK; 25% Australia) of some kind; that is, the presentation of information based on the analysis and interpretation of relevant data.
Analytic software or methods (26% UK; 12% Australia) comprised the third most frequent pathway to impact from data. Here research data are used to generate or refine analytic software or methods which, in turn, generated impacts.
Data alone is not enough
Already we can see from these results that research data alone rarely contributes directly to impact.
Instead, 99% of research data-linked impacts are indirectly associated with the identified impacts (Australia). Data need to be processed, analysed and curated, so that conclusions or other value can be drawn from them, and they can yield non-academic impacts.
To do this, you need to understand the needs and challenges that your data might be able to help address, and to understand this you need to talk to the people who might use your work.