Indicators for Measuring University Research Performance in Thailand

摘要

Organizations have established many R&D performance indicators for their unique needs. Large research organizations in the developed countries use publication counts, citations, patent counts, and patent citations as key R&D performance indicators. In developing countries research organizations have different research objectives. The appropriate R&D performance indicators should serve several factors such as research objectives, funding agencies requirements, industries needs, and national research policy. The university research units in developing countries have many limitations compared to those in developed countries. The objective of this study is to determine the appropriate R&D performance indicators for university science and technology (S&T) research units in Thailand, where are the main organizations to conduct S&T research. Key elements of measurement indicators are investigated through in-depth interviews with researchers, funding agencies and experts and through a national survey. This study found that researchers and funding agencies use different indicators to evaluate the performance of research programs. Most Thai researchers, especially young researchers value highly those research projects that lead to publication in international peer reviewed journals. They perceive the impact of their research on the society and economy as less important, whereas, research funding agencies value highly the impact of projects and support on the country's development.