Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment

In support of a better, healthier research culture that promotes rigorous research undertaken to the highest standards, the Global Research Council's Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) working group has developed a new framework: the Dimensions of Responsible Research Assessment. This new report was launched at the GRC Annual Meeting in May 2024.

The set of 11 dimensions was established to articulate funders’ vision of RRA and to frame future discussions. This can be used by funding agencies to understand how to embed principles of responsible research assessment and assessment reform. Funders are encouraged to read the full report, which provides additional definitions, descriptions, and examples of responsible research assessment practices.

Summary

Guiding Principles

1. Responsible commitment to and promotion of research integrity and the responsible conduct of research.
   Establish and promote policies and frameworks that support responsible research and research integrity.
2. Responsible approaches to incentivizing open research.
   Encourage researchers to openly share their outputs.
3. Responsible commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.
   Commit to advance commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.
4. Responsible responses to the effects of global challenges and emergencies on research.
   Develop strategies to reduce negative effects of global challenges and emergencies on research.

Governance & Strategy

1. Responsible administration and monitoring of research assessment processes.
   Establish well-supported and sustainable organizational framework to explore, analyze, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate responsible research assessment practices.
2. Responsible approaches to research assessment reform.
   Reform should follow a responsible and robust research methodology.
3. Responsible use of influence on institutional policies and practices.
   Exercise influence responsibly in collaboration with interested parties, in line with RRA principles and recognizing institutional autonomy and academic freedom.

Processes and Methodology

1. Responsible use and dissemination of research assessment criteria.
   Use and disseminate criteria to acknowledge, enable and promote a diversity of research roles, activities, innovation, outputs and outcomes, adapting them contextually.
2. Responsible assessment of research contributions and achievements.
   Allow researchers to clearly communicate the significance, quality and impact of their contributions, including the adoption of a structured narrative CV and due considerations for career stage, interruptions and other contextual factors.
3. Responsible approaches to impact assessment.
   Value research that produces high-quality impacts, recognizing contextually relevant factors and a diversity of forms of impact, while minimizing any risk of harm.
4. Responsible approaches to reviewer and panel recruitment and training.
   Approaches should be considerate of multiple factors to reduce bias and ensure support of the advancement of a more equitable, diverse and inclusive research environment.