FNP has joined the European Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), which was launched in September 2022 with the aim of working together to improve research assessment practices.
The Coalition follows ?The Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment? which is being signed by researchers and research performing organisations, with the overarching goal to maximise the quality and impact of research Drafting the agreement brought together over 350 organisations from over 40 countries. The process was coordinated by a team composed of representatives from the European University Association (EUA), Science Europe, and the European Commission, as well as independent researchers.
The agreement incorporates 10 principles which set a shared direction for changes in assessment practices for research:
1. Recognise the diversity of contributions to, and careers in, research in accordance with the needs and nature of the research.
2. Base research assessment primarily on qualitative evaluation for which peer- review is central, supported by responsible use of quantitative indicators.
3. Abandon inappropriate uses in research assessment of journal- and publication-based metrics, in particular inappropriate uses of Journal Impact Factor (JIF) and h-index.
4. Avoid the use of rankings of research organisations in research assessment.
5. Commit resources to reforming research assessment as is needed to achieve the organisational changes committed to.
6. Review and develop research assessment criteria, tools and processes.
7. Raise awareness of research assessment reform and provide transparent communication, guidance, and training on assessment criteria and processes as well as their use.
8. Exchange practices and experiences to enable mutual learning within and beyond the Coalition.
9. Communicate progress made on adherence to the Principles and implementation of the Commitments.
10. Evaluate practices, criteria and tools based on solid evidence and the state-of the-art in research on research, and make data openly available for evidence gathering and research.