--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-impact-of-research-on-well-being-a-survey-of-indicators-of-well-being/" title: "Measuring the Impact of Research on Well-being: A Survey of Indicators of Well-being" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-02T13:48:15+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-02T13:48:15+00:00" post_type: "research" summary: "" post_tag: - "Canada" - "composite measures" - "GDP alternatives" - "OECD" - "quality of life" - "research impact" - "well-being indicators" country_focus: - "Canada" province_region: - "National" research_theme: - "Economic Well-Being" - "Productivity and Economic Measurement" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp" status: "publish" --- # Measuring the Impact of Research on Well-being: A Survey of Indicators of Well-being Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-impact-of-research-on-well-being-a-survey-of-indicators-of-well-being/ # Measuring the Impact of Research on Well-being: A Survey of Indicators of Well-being [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2005-02-1.pdf) Cite this report × Cite this report as: Sharpe, Andrew, and Jeremy Smith. 2005. “Measuring the Impact of Research on Well-being: A Survey of Indicators of Well-being.” CSLS Research Report 2005-02. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-impact-of-research-on-well-being-a-survey-of-indicators-of-well-being/ ## Authors: - Andrew Sharpe Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) - Jeremy Smith Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) ## Report 2005-02 February 2005 119 pages ## Related research [Measuring the Appropriate Outcomes for Better Decision-Making: A Framework to Guide the Analysis of Health Policy Matthew Calver March 2016 | Report 2016-03 | 132 pages](https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-appropriate-outcomes-for-better-decision-making-a-framework-to-guide-the-analysis-of-health-policy-2016-03/) [Living Standards Domain of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing Andrew Sharpe, Christopher Ross November 2011 | Report 2011-17 | 124 pages](https://csls.ca/research/living-standards-domain-of-the-canadian-index-of-wellbeing-2011-17/) [Productivity: Key to Economic Success Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) March 1998 | Report 1998-01 | 99 pages](https://csls.ca/research/productivity-key-to-economic-success/) [Apprenticeship in Canada: A Training System Under Siege? Andrew Sharpe December 1999 | Report 1999-03 | 59 pages](https://csls.ca/research/apprenticeship-in-canadaa-training-system-under-siege/) [A Survey of Indicators of Economic and Social Well-being Andrew Sharpe July 1999 | Report 1999-cprn | 72 pages](https://csls.ca/research/a-survey-of-indicators-of-economic-and-social-well-being/) [Creating a More Efficient Labour Market Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) June 2001 | Report 2001-02 | 147 pages](https://csls.ca/research/creating-a-more-efficient-labour-market/) [The Impact of the National Child Benefit Supplement on the Low Income Status of Canadian Families with Children: The SPSD/M Results Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) June 2002 | Report 2002-01 | 59 pages](https://csls.ca/research/the-impact-of-the-national-child-benefit-supplement-on-the-low-income-status-of-canadian-families-with-children-the-spsd-m-results/) [Raising Canadian Living Standards: A Framework for Discussion Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) October 2002 | Report 2002-td | 56 pages](https://csls.ca/research/raising-canadian-living-standards-a-framework-for-discussion/) [Productivity Trends in Natural Resources Industries in Canada Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) February 2003 | Report 2003-01a | 69 pages](https://csls.ca/research/productivity-trends-in-natural-resources-industries-in-canada/) [Productivity in the Forest Products Sector: A Review of the Literature Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) February 2003 | Report 2003-02 | 28 pages](https://csls.ca/research/productivity-in-the-forest-products-sector-a-review-of-the-literature/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn The main objective of this report is to conduct a survey and assessment of various indicators used by organizations, both in Canada and abroad, to measure attributes and the well-being of society at the economic, health, environmental, social, and cultural levels. The compilation includes a combination of quantitative and qualitative and objective and subjective indicators or measures. The report is divided into five major parts. The first part provides a brief overview of Canada’s research effort. The second part, by far the longest section, surveys a large number of sets of indicators and composite measures that have been developed to quantify well-being in Canada, in the United States, in OECD countries, and at the international level. The third section develops a preliminary framework for measuring the impact of research on well-being. The fourth section discusses briefly the role of indicators in public policy initiatives to improve the well-being of Canadians. The fifth and final section outlines directions for further work. The report concludes that it is entirely feasible to assess the impact of research investments in Canada on various dimensions of well-being. But it is important to specify what particular research investments and what dimensions of well-being are of interest given the many types of research investments and well-being dimensions as well as the complex interrelationships between research and well-being. L’objectif principal de ce rapport est de mener un recensement et une évaluation des divers indicateurs utilisés par des organismes, tant au Canada qu’à l’étranger, pour mesurer les attributs et le bien-être de la société aux échelles économique, sanitaire, environnementale, sociale et culturelle. La compilation comprend une combinaison d’indicateurs ou de mesures quantitatifs et qualitatifs, objectifs et subjectifs. Le rapport se divise en cinq grandes parties. La première présente un bref aperçu de l’effort de recherche du Canada. La deuxième partie, de loin la plus longue, recense un grand nombre d’ensembles d’indicateurs et de mesures composites élaborés pour quantifier le bien-être au Canada, aux États-Unis, dans les pays de l’OCDE et à l’échelle internationale. La troisième section élabore un cadre préliminaire pour mesurer l’incidence de la recherche sur le bien-être. La quatrième traite brièvement du rôle des indicateurs dans les initiatives de politiques publiques visant à améliorer le bien-être des Canadiens. La cinquième et dernière section présente des pistes pour les travaux futurs. Le rapport conclut qu’il est tout à fait possible d’évaluer l’incidence des investissements en recherche au Canada sur diverses dimensions du bien-être. Cependant, il importe de préciser quels investissements en recherche et quelles dimensions du bien-être sont visés, étant donné les nombreux types d’investissements en recherche et de dimensions du bien-être, ainsi que les relations complexes entre la recherche et le bien-être. [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2005-02-1.pdf)