Assessment of research quality in higher education: contribution for an institutional framework

Abstract

The past twenty years have seen a remarkable rise in the measurement of the impact/cost-benefit and value-for money of research outcomes. The implications for knowledge construction, higher education institutions and researchers are massive. This paper presents a proposal for addressing the question —how can institutions evaluate and monitor the quality of research in order to promote research excellence? The present study combines a strong documental analysis of major reference frameworks that are/were used across European higher education institutions with data analysis of a case study developed in the UK about the perceptions and recommendations of the main intervenients in the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The dimensions and indicators identified in this study will contribute for the design of the Institutional Research Quality Assessment Framework that will be used in a research centre at the University of Aveiro. We provide examples of processes and practices of how institutions can develop internal evaluation exercises. We argue for an integrated/integrative approach where the basic principles of quality are identified, openly discussed and developed in order to reinforce the identity and promote the empowerment and engagement of researchers in the process of research assessment