Responsible use of research metrics

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to maintaining a research environment that produces high-quality and impactful research to benefit our society, culture, economy and environment. 

It is therefore necessary to assess the quality of our research, and research metrics form an important part of that process. 

However, we are aware that research metrics have their limitations and have therefore developed the following approach to ensure that they are used in an appropriate and transparent manner.

Our approach recognises that:

• Research metrics can provide useful evidence to help inform decision-making when used by experienced colleagues in processes that also include qualitative and expert assessment and opinion.
• Research metrics are not used in isolation or outside of an appropriate context.
• The choice of appropriate metrics to use in any assessment process will be governed by factors such as subject area/discipline, career stage, working patterns and the focus of a particular job role.
• Research metrics are not always free from errors and can be incorrectly interpreted or misreported. We will therefore provide appropriate training for those who are using metrics.
• We will provide those who are assessed by processes that include metrics the opportunity to justify, dispute or endorse those metrics. To make that process easier, we will ensure that data sources are referenced and timestamped.

Manchester Metropolitan University is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment.

The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of research are evaluated.  

The declaration provides an internationally recognised platform for institutions and individuals to demonstrate their commitment to responsible use of research metrics and makes high-level recommendations for how this can be achieved.

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to best practice in research assessment, advancing our maturity towards metrics-based evaluation and taking an active stand within the sector to value quality research, regardless of how and where it is published.