Our Statement on the Responsible use of Research Metrics

Why do we have one?

Many of the quantitative indicators used in research assessment are citation-based bibliometric indicators such as citation counts; journal impact factors (JIFs); and the h-index. These are derived from the data found in Web of Science, Scopus, or in Google Scholar. These metrics are displayed in many commonly used sources, such as on publishers’ journal websites and in research systems such as Symplectic.

Alternative metrics ('altmetrics') are a relatively new kind of indicator which provide information about attention to research outputs in social media such as Twitter and information about captures, shares and number of views and downloads. There are still many uncertainties and concerns about these developing metrics, including about their reliability.

It is therefore important that all staff involved in research, and not just those directly involved in the assessment of research, understand these indicators and their responsible use.

The University’s Statement on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics

The University recognises the important role that metrics can have in facilitating research and improving research visibility and impact. The University views metrics as a resource which, when used responsibly, support staff to achieve research excellence and to publish in high quality journals. The University also recognises that the relevance and appropriateness of metrics varies across disciplines and that their use is both complex and contentious.

It is the University’s view that a discipline-appropriate range of measures and judgements provides a more balanced consideration of research than any single measure, reflecting the many ways research can be considered successful, as well as minimising biases and preconceptions.

The University acknowledges the need for fairness and transparency in the increasing use of quantitative indicators in the external measurements of our reputation, as measured by league tables and funding agencies.

Information on research activity is currently used in a variety of settings across the University, including but not limited to: recruitment, promotion, monitoring and reporting of individual and institutional research performance, and in the Research Excellence Framework.

Purely quantitative metrics influence league tables and the major funding bodies. Metrics will play a role in some disciplines in informing peer review in the research excellence framework. While peer review remains the primary method of research assessment, the increasing amounts of quantitative information available both within and outside the University can provide useful contextual information.

The principles set out in the Statement outline the University’s approach to the responsible use of metrics and draw on the recommendations made by DORA (2013), the Metric Tide (2015)v and the principles of the Leiden Manifesto (2015), the UK Forum for Responsible Research Metrics – FFRRM (2017).

Who needs to engage with the Statement?

It is the responsibility of all staff and postgraduate research (PGR) students to engage with the principles set out in this statement.

It is the responsibility of the Research and Enterprise Services, Deans, and Directors of Research, or their nominated representatives, to ensure that this statement is widely disseminated and understood by staff and PGR students.

It is the responsibility of Research and Enterprise Services to audit engagement with this Statement.

Further Information

Read the full Statement on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics or email me for further information or with any questions.