Responsible Metrics At The University Of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen’s approach for research assessment is guided by, and aligned with, key international frameworks and declarations, including the Leiden Manifesto for Research Metrics and the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), an international initiative promoting principles and expectations for assessing and rewarding research in ways that are fair and transparent.
The University of Aberdeen is a signatory to DORA since 2020, and the main commitments include:
- Clearly communicating the criteria applied when assessing academic work – see the University policy on the Responsible Use of Metrics in Research Assessment.
- Recognising the broad range of scholarly contributions beyond traditional publications.
- Ensuring that research outputs are evaluated on their inherent quality rather than journal-based performance indicators.
The University also acknowledges diverse forms of research output, including datasets, software, creative practice, and other, as well as wider contributions such as mentoring early-career researchers, shaping policy or professional practice, and delivering meaningful research impact.
A central aspect of this approach recognising that research excellence is multifaceted and quantitative indicators alone cannot capture the full breadth, depth, or impact of research. the University adopts a responsible approach to research assessment that emphasises intrinsic merit, originality, and meaningful contributions to knowledge, policy, or practice. Measures such as journal impact factors or citation counts are therefore not used to inform decisions relating to funding allocations, recruitment, or promotion. Instead, assessments focus on the intrinsic merit and contribution of individual outputs, helping to ensure that decisions relating to research and researchers are fair, transparent, and supportive of a culture of integrity, openness, and ethical responsibility in research.