O come let us a-DORA!
Just before Christmas, following consultation with Schools and approval by Research Committee, Professor Tom Brown, Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation), signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) in what is a first step in the implementation of the recently published principles on the responsible use of research metrics at the University.
DORA’s recommendations call for institutions to not use journal-based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors, as a surrogate measure of the quality of individual research articles when assessing researchers’ contributions in hiring, promotion or funding decisions. It encourages universities, researchers and others to assess research on its own merits rather than on the basis of the journal in which the research was published, and highlights the need to capitalise on the opportunities provided by new formats and channels for publications.
Commenting on the signing, Tom said: “The University is committed to producing world-leading research. By approving this set of principles and signing up to DORA, we are demonstrating to our researchers that we recognise the need to use indicators responsibly in all aspects of research assessment and management and that, in particular, we value research wherever it is published and whatever form it takes.”
The full set of principles can be found on the research web pages or email [email protected] for more information.