Leiden Manifesto Codifies Best Practices for Metrics-based Research Assessment

Posted February 10, 2016

Research evaluation has become routine and often relies on metrics. But it is increasingly driven by data and not by expert judgement. As a result, the procedures that were designed to increase the quality of research are now threatening to damage the scientific system.

To support researchers and managers, five experts led by Diana Hicks, professor in the School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Paul Wouters, director of the Center for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University, have proposed 10 principles for the measurement of research performance: the Leiden Manifesto for Research Metrics. Published as commentary in Nature in July 2015, the principles are being circulated around the world. A video summarizing the principles is available and it has been published in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Leading Edge Digital Publications Series.

“It is satisfying to know that so many people around the world have found the Leiden Manifesto helpful in their science policy deliberations,” said Hicks. “Volunteers have translated it into 9 languages, making it more accessible to policy makers around the world. And it has been very widely tweeted, blogged, and cited.”

Watch Vimeo video here.