International quality assessment exercises
The following links will take you to the different international research quality assessment being undertaken
NZ Performance Based Research Fund
'The primary goal of the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) is to ensure that excellent research in the tertiary education sector is encouraged and rewarded. This entails assessing the research performance of tertiary education organisations (TEOs) and then funding them on the basis of their performance'. NZ Performance Based Research Fund
The major element, the Quality Evaluation, is held periodically. The first was completed in 2003 and the second, a partial round, was held in 2006. The next full round of the Quality Evaluation will take place in 2012.
The PBRF contributes to the success of the Tertiary Education Strategy, supporting its goals of encouraging an integrated, specialised tertiary education sector, developing Maori and Pacific research capability and improving linkages with relevant communities.
UK Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is working to develop new arrangements for the assessment and funding of research. The new arrangements - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) - will be introduced after the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The REF will consist of a single unified framework for the funding and assessment of research across all subjects. It will make greater use of quantitative indicators in the assessment of research quality than the RAE, while taking account of key differences between the different disciplines. For all subjects the assessment will include some combination of metrics-based indicators, including bibliometrics where appropriate, as well as input from expert panels.
REF consultation
Initial plans were set out in the Future framework for research asssessment and funding. The full consultation was from November 2007 - February 2008. Two research and evaluation reports fed into the development of the new framework:
- Scoping study on the use of bibliometric analysis to measure the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, Center for Science and Technology Studies, University of Leiden
- Bibliometric analysis of interdisciplinary research, Evidence Ltd.
Assessment
Assessment will combine quantitative indicators - including bibliometric indicators wherever these are appropriate - and expert review. Which of these elements are employed, and the balance between them, will vary as appropriate to each subject. The economic and social impact of research, as well as impact upon public policy, will also contribute to the overall assessment of quality.
UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)
The United Kingdom's (UK) Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 was conducted jointly by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Department of Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DEL).
RAE 2008 is the 6th cycle of an assessment exercise which started in 1986 (followed by 1989, 1992, 1996, 2001 and now 2008). The purpose of the RAE is to produce quality profiles for each submission of research activity made by an institution. The four higher education funding bodies intend to use the quality profiles to drive funding from 2009/10.
RAE 2008 results (RAE 2008 website) - published 18 December 2008