Domain D: Research Integration & Market Use¶
Focus: Integration with research community; demonstrated use across sectors
Indicators: 8 (6 Core, 2 Enhancement)
The business question
Are people actually using the service? This measures real-world output, not theoretical capacity.
A health data service exists to enable research that improves health outcomes. This domain measures whether that is actually happening — active user counts, research publications, commercial partnerships, and clinical trial support. It shifts the assessment from "could we deliver?" to "are we delivering?" and captures the support infrastructure (helpdesks, training, reproducibility tools) that determines researcher experience.
Indicator Summary¶
| ID | Indicator | Type | Class | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.1.1 | Active User Base | Core | Y | Both |
| D.1.2 | Research Output & Impact | Core | Y | Both |
| D.2.1 | Researcher Support & Helpdesk | Core | B0 | Service |
| D.2.2 | Training & Capability Building | Enhancement | O | Service |
| D.2.3 | Reproducibility & Provenance Support | Core | B0 | Service |
| D.3.1 | Multi-Site Research Capability | Core | B0 | Both |
| D.3.2 | Commercial Access Framework | Enhancement | O | Both |
| D.4.1 | Trial Data & Recruitment | Enhancement | C4 | Both |
D.1 — User Base & Impact¶
D.1.1 Active User Base¶
CORE · Y (Outcome) · Both
Outcome indicator
This is an Outcome/Context indicator — reported for situational awareness but excluded from readiness scoring.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | Minimal activity. <10 projects. Internal researchers only. |
| L2 | Growing with 10-30 projects. External engaging. Pipeline developing. |
| L3 | Established with 30-75 projects. Mix of academic, NHS, commercial. Growing. |
| L4 | Substantial >= 75 projects (or >= 15/million pop). Diverse community. Demand exceeds supply. |
| L5 | Large >= 150 projects. International. High retention. Community promoting. |
D.1.2 Research Output & Impact¶
CORE · Y (Outcome) · Both
Outcome indicator
This is an Outcome/Context indicator — reported for situational awareness but excluded from readiness scoring.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No tracking. Publications and impacts unknown. |
| L2 | Tracking initiated. Reporting requirement. Baseline identified. |
| L3 | Regular tracking with annual reporting. Publications cited. Selected case studies. |
| L4 | Comprehensive tracking. >= 30 publications/year (or >= 6/million pop). Health service impact. Policy influence. |
| L5 | Leadership with high-impact publications. Influencing practice/policy. Economic impact quantified. International recognition. |
D.2 — Research Support¶
D.2.1 Researcher Support & Helpdesk¶
CORE · B0 · Service
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No dedicated support. Researchers navigate independently. |
| L2 | Function identified. Basic documentation/FAQs. Variable response. |
| L3 | Dedicated helpdesk. Targets defined. Application and basic technical support. |
| L4 | Comprehensive: pre-submission, guidance, technical, analytical. SLAs (2-day response). Satisfaction surveyed. |
| L5 | Exemplary with proactive outreach. Account management. >= 80% satisfaction. |
D.2.2 Training & Capability Building¶
ENHANCEMENT · O · Service
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No provision. Researchers expected to have skills. |
| L2 | Needs identified. Ad-hoc training. Strategy developing. |
| L3 | Regular programme. Moderate uptake. |
| L4 | Comprehensive with multiple levels. Regular schedule. Linked to accreditation. |
| L5 | Extensive ecosystem. Co-developed. NHS analyst capacity building. Shared UK-wide. |
D.2.3 Reproducibility & Analytic Provenance Support¶
CORE · B0 · Service
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No reproducibility support. Code/data/environments not versioned. |
| L2 | Basic expectations documented. Tooling limited; relies on individuals. |
| L3 | Standard tools available. Partial provenance; inconsistent adoption. |
| L4 | Reproducibility-by-design. Versioned data/environments and provenance capture supported. |
| L5 | Automated provenance and reusable pipelines. Routine reproducibility audit and sharing. |
D.3 — Multi-Site & Commercial Research¶
D.3.1 Multi-Site Research Capability¶
CORE · B0 · Both
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No multi-site. Cannot combine with other UK nodes. |
| L2 | Requirements understood. Barriers identified. Pilot planned. |
| L3 | Possible with bespoke arrangements. >= 2 projects delivered. Effortful. |
| L4 | Routine capability. Standard processes. Participating in federated networks. |
| L5 | Leading capability. Proactively supporting UK-wide. Advanced federated. International. |
D.3.2 Commercial Access Framework¶
ENHANCEMENT · O · Both
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No framework. Commercial access unclear. No IP policy. |
| L2 | Policy developing. Pricing discussed. IP under review. Pilots exploring. |
| L3 | Access permitted under conditions. Pricing exists. IP policy drafted. |
| L4 | Clear framework with published pricing/terms. IP aligned with Fair Value principles. Revenue contributing. |
| L5 | Mature offering. Competitive. Comprehensive IP. Diverse partnership models. Good practice. |
D.4 — Clinical Trials¶
D.4.1 Trial Data & Recruitment Support¶
ENHANCEMENT · C4 · Both
Capability module
This indicator is mandatory only if claiming HDRS Capability 4 (Trial acceleration).
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| L1 | No integration. Trial data flows separate. |
| L2 | Opportunities identified. Trials unit discussions. Feasibility assessed. |
| L3 | Selected services (feasibility, site identification). Some trial data flows. |
| L4 | Routine services. Follow-up linkable. IRAS/REC integration. |
| L5 | Comprehensive integration. Real-time recruitment. Contributing to UK trial acceleration. |