Would you like to gain an overview of the literature and findings on certain topics that are relevant to you or your organization? We are happy to assist you by systematically compiling these topics through scientific literature reviews. As part of WU Vienna, we have access to a comprehensive collection of monographs, edited volumes, scientific databases, and journals that are continuously updated. Additionally, we bring expertise in the scientifically grounded review and analysis of specialized literature, as well as in the structured presentation of scientific topics.

In a literature review, the identified studies are first assessed for their relevance and quality, and then categorized according to relevant content, methodological, or structural focuses. Through targeted research, it is possible to address specific topics and analyze them scientifically, presenting key insights from the literature in a clear and organized manner. With a focus on impacts from various interventions, we have expanded the traditional literature review by incorporating our own concept of the Impact Box for a clearer and more structured presentation of the research output.

The Impact Box as a Tool for Impact Analysis:

This concept allows for the categorization of identified impacts according to predefined temporal, structural, or content-related dimensions, and their corresponding placement within the Impact Box. Thus, on the temporal level, a distinction can be made between short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts. Regarding content orientation, for example, differentiation can be made between social, economic, or political impacts. In terms of structure, impacts can be classified at the micro, meso, or macro level. Furthermore, each impact is associated with the corresponding measurement instrument (indicators, items, scales), meaning it is shown how the respective impact was measured. The Impact Box functions similarly to a database, facilitating the later retrieval of results, making it a practical tool.

Reference Projects

Literature Review on Volunteer Work in Social Work

As part of projects or previous studies, we have fulfilled research assignments on topics such as the impacts of volunteer work in social work and in the areas of disability support and care.

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Literature Review Using the Impact Box

The concept of the Impact Box has already been successfully applied to the areas of open and associative youth work and integration. Both studies focused on empirically proven impacts of various programs, measures, and cross-measure interventions in these two fields.

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Literature Review on Indices Related to Civil Society

Additionally, we conducted a research study on the topic of civil society in Central and Eastern Europe, during which we reviewed existing indices in preparation for our own monitoring study.

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Contact:

Christian Grünhaus

Olivia Rauscher