Round Table: The Use of Metrics in Evaluating Research

摘要

The use of metrics for evaluating research is a hotly debated issue. The IMU/ICIAM/IMS report on Citation Statistics [1] highlighted the dangers of uncritical use of impact factors, which play an increasing role in funding, promotions and library purchases. Are impact factors and other such indices good measures of journal quality, and should they be used to evaluate research and individuals? What can be done about unethical practices like impact factor manipulation? Is there a role for metrics in evaluating research? Are there better alternatives? These were the topics of discussion at the ICM 2010 Round Table on Thursday, 26 August, between 6 and 8 p.m. It was chaired by John Ball, and organized by IMU's Committee on Electronic Information and Communication (CEIC). This record of the Round Table consists of edited and shortened versions of the presentations by the panellists, together with excerpts from some of the contributions by participants in the discussion. A complete video is available at the IMU website http://www.mathunion.org/publications/ historic-material.