Research metrics (Bibliometrics) are quantitative measures that can be used as a way to assess research quality or performance. They are most commonly based on citations, scholarly output and international collaboration. Research metrics are used by other organisations (e.g. QS and Times Higher world university rankings) and some funders (e.g. Research England for some REF Units of Assessment; National Institute for Health Research) to assess us. Understanding this and benchmarking against other institutions helps the University make informed decisions.
Because of their power to influence key decisions, it is vital that only appropriate metrics are used responsibly. In November 2019, the University’s Senate approved a Responsible Research Metrics Policy, setting out what is an appropriate use of research metrics. Furthermore, our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith, has now signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) on behalf of the University of Southampton. He said: “I am pleased that we are now a signatory to DORA. There are many metrics pertaining to research that can be very helpful in understanding ourselves. Some increasingly have a strong bearing on our reputation. However understanding what they really tell us and hence their responsible use is really important.”
DORA, developed in 2012, recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. It comprises 18 recommendations, including that we assess research on its own merits rather than simply on the journal in which the research is published, eliminating the crude use of journal-based metrics (e.g. Impact Factor) in funding, appointment, and promotion considerations.
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