Assessing assessment

摘要

The use of metrics to measure and assess scientific performance is a subject of deep concern, especially among younger scientists. In this issue, Nature begins what we hope will be an ongoing conversation on such measures and how they should be developed and used. All the metrics-related articles are collected at www.nature. com/metrics and are available for online comment.rnA poll of Nature's readers suggests that feelings about metrics are mixed (see page 860). Many researchers say that, in principle, they welcome the use of quantitative performance metrics because of the potential for clarity and objectivity.