Assessing the Assessments

摘要

Though a modern-day Galileo may still woo an occasional Medici patron to support his research, a vast number of scientists depend on much more bureaucratic means to keep their labs running. Since 1986, when the UK Research Assessment Exercise was launched, at least 14 countries have implemented systems to distribute research funding to universi ties based on evaluation of research output. These have been motivated by the increasing importance of research to economic growth, as well as broader interests in improving public management.