Research Quality Framework - RQF
Assessing the quality and impact of research in Australia
Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, the new Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has announced that the Australian Government will not be proceeding any further with implementation of the Research Quality Framework (RQF).
A link to the Minister’s Media Release is attached for your information http://minister.industry.gov.au/SenatortheHonKimCarr/Pages/CANCELLATIONOFRESEARCHQUALITYFRAMEWORKIMPLEMENTATION.aspx
Senator Carr has announced that the Australian Government is committed to a new streamlined, internationally-recognised, research quality assurance exercise using metrics or other agreed quality measures appropriate to each research discipline.
The Minister will announce early in 2008 a timeline for implementing the new approach, as well as the process for consulting with the sector on appropriate quality measures.
In May 2004 the Prime Minister announced that the Australian Government would establish Quality and Accessibility Frameworks for Publicly Funded Research as part of the Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our Future through Science and Innovation
What’s it all about?
Two frameworks for publicly funded research are to be developed in consultation with universities and publicly funded research agencies:
•Research Quality Framework (RQF) to measure the quality of research conducted in universities and publicly funded research agencies, as well as its benefits to the wider community; and
•Research Accessibility Framework (RAF) to ensure that information about research and how to access it is available to researchers and the wider community.
The aim of the Research Quality Framework is to develop the basis for an improved assessment of the quality and impact of publicly funded research and an effective process to achieve this. The Framework should be transparent to government and taxpayers so that they are better informed about the results of the public investment in research; ensure that all publicly funded research agencies and research providers are encouraged to focus on the quality and relevance of their research; and avoid a high cost of implementation and imposing a high administration burden on research providers.
Further information can be found at the DEST RQF website: http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/policies_issues_reviews/key_issues/research_quality_framework/default.htm
What’s happening at ECU?
The RQF process at ECU began in 2005 with a series of seminars and workshops followed by an RQF Trial Assessment in March 2006. The trial generated valluable information about the depth and breadth of research activities at ECU.
Since this time, researchers at ECU have been compiling Evidence Portfolios highlighting the important research being carried out in our Faculties, Schools and Research Centres.
For further information, contact
Brett Tizard
Manager Research Services
Ph: 6304 5473
RQF 2008 Documents and Forms
Some of the documents and forms associated with the RQF are listed at the DEST website including the Submission Specifications, Panel-Specific Requirements; Guidance Material for Assessment Panels and Advisors; RQF Technical Specifications; Exemption from In Situ Criterion Form; Draft Impact template; and Publishers who have allowed the use of Research Outputs for the RQF.
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/policies_issues_reviews/key_issues/research_quality_framework/documents_and_forms.htm
RQF Assessment Panels
The 13 Assessment Panels for the RQF in 2008 have been designed based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (RFCD) codes.
The Panels have been structured so as to provide a balance between discipline coverage and likely workload for assessors. Each Panel will have 12 members and will include a Chair, assessors of international standing and end users.
2008 Assessment Panel Chairs
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/policies_issues_reviews/key_issues/research_quality_framework/rqf_assessment_2008.htm#Assessment_Panel_2008_Chairs