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Evaluating research: from informed peer review to bibliometrics

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Abramo

    (National Research Council of Italy
    Laboratory for Studies of Research and Technology Transfer, School of Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”)

  • Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo

    (Laboratory for Studies of Research and Technology Transfer, School of Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”)

Abstract

National research assessment exercises are becoming regular events in ever more countries. The present work contrasts the peer-review and bibliometrics approaches in the conduct of these exercises. The comparison is conducted in terms of the essential parameters of any measurement system: accuracy, robustness, validity, functionality, time and costs. Empirical evidence shows that for the natural and formal sciences, the bibliometric methodology is by far preferable to peer-review. Setting up national databases of publications by individual authors, derived from Web of Science or Scopus databases, would allow much better, cheaper and more frequent national research assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo, 2011. "Evaluating research: from informed peer review to bibliometrics," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 87(3), pages 499-514, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:87:y:2011:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-011-0352-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-011-0352-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo & Fulvio Viel, 2010. "Peer review research assessment: a sensitivity analysis of performance rankings to the share of research product evaluated," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 85(3), pages 705-720, December.
    2. Saul Lach & Mark Schankerman, 2008. "Incentives and invention in universities," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 39(2), pages 403-433, June.
    3. Dag W. Aksnes, 2008. "When different persons have an identical author name. How frequent are homonyms?," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 59(5), pages 838-841, March.
    4. repec:adr:anecst:y:1998:i:49-50:p:05 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. James D. Adams & Zvi Griliches, 1998. "Research Productivity in a System of Universities," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 49-50, pages 127-162.
    6. Rinia, E. J. & van Leeuwen, Th. N. & van Vuren, H. G. & van Raan, A. F. J., 1998. "Comparative analysis of a set of bibliometric indicators and central peer review criteria: Evaluation of condensed matter physics in the Netherlands," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 95-107, May.
    7. Abramo, Giovanni & D'Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Caprasecca, Alessandro, 2009. "Allocative efficiency in public research funding: Can bibliometrics help?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 206-215, February.
    8. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo & Fabio Pugini, 2008. "The measurement of Italian universities’ research productivity by a non parametric-bibliometric methodology," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 76(2), pages 225-244, August.
    9. Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo, 2011. "National-scale research performance assessment at the individual level," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 86(2), pages 347-364, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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