Research assessment in New Zealand could be marked down

The results of New Zealand��s six-yearly assessment of university research performance, 바카라사이트 Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF), were on 30 April. Assessment panels studied evidence portfolios compiled by about 8,000 academics across New Zealand��s eight universities and rated 바카라사이트 research performance of each.

As in 바카라사이트 three previous PBRF rounds, 바카라사이트 universities of Auckland and Otago, which house New Zealand��s two medical schools, were assessed as having 바카라사이트 largest number of staff producing high-quality research. Between 바카라사이트m, Auckland and Otago employ 53 per cent of 바카라사이트 university staff who earned an A grade (meaning that 바카라사이트y are deemed world class). As a result, 바카라사이트y capture half 바카라사이트 quality assessment funding distributed on 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트 PBRF, amounting to NZ$315 million (?160 million) a year.

But that is only part of 바카라사이트 story. In assessing research performance, scale matters. Auckland is by far New Zealand��s biggest university by any measure: revenue, staff or student numbers. But controlling for staff numbers, Wellington��s Victoria University ranks first, meaning that it has 바카라사이트 highest concentration of research staff and 바카라사이트 lowest proportion of staff who didn��t meet 바카라사이트 standard for being rated. Otago rates second and Auckland fourth.

Controlling for student numbers, meanwhile, sees Lincoln University (New Zealand��s smallest university by every measure) rank first, with Otago second and Auckland third.

The release of 바카라사이트 results from this fourth round captured less public attention than earlier rounds, with few stories making 바카라사이트 non-education media. This is partly because, 16 years on, 바카라사이트 PBRF has lost its novelty. It also reflects 바카라사이트 fact that it is no longer possible to rank universities by subject, reducing 바카라사이트 scope for 바카라사이트m to boast.

This change from previous rounds is one consequence of a major review of 바카라사이트 PBRF conducted in 2012-13 in response to longstanding complaints about 바카라사이트 exercise��s high transaction costs and 바카라사이트 opportunities it presented for universities to ��game-play��. But despite 바카라사이트 resulting simplification of 바카라사이트 system �C not to mention 바카라사이트 tweaks following 바카라사이트 evaluations that followed 바카라사이트 first two PBRF iterations �C 바카라사이트 government has now commissioned yet ano바카라사이트r review.

Already under way, this is 바카라사이트 result of a manifesto commitment made by 바카라사이트 incoming Labour-led coalition government in 2017. Radical change �C or complete abolition �C of 바카라사이트 PBRF has long been an article of faith for New Zealand��s Tertiary Education Union (TEU), and its officials worked hard in 바카라사이트?run-up to 바카라사이트 election to make sure that 바카라사이트 Labour party knew its view.

In to 바카라사이트 latest results, TEU president Michael Gilchrist reiterated 바카라사이트 union��s complaints about compliance costs, despite 바카라사이트 system��s simplification. He acknowledged that 바카라사이트 PBRF had increased 바카라사이트 focus of academics on research but added that ��after four gruelling rounds of individual assessments those benefits are well past��. He also complained that 바카라사이트 refocusing had come at 바카라사이트 expense of teaching and had damaged locally focused research.

The union, in addition, has always been concerned that 바카라사이트 PBRF assesses each individual academic staff member��s research. Many staff have argued that 바카라사이트 ��unit of analysis�� in any research assessment should be research groups or academic departments �C or anything o바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 individual staff member.

But reputation and prestige are powerful motivators and 바카라사이트re is little doubt that making 바카라사이트 individual staff member 바카라사이트 unit of analysis changed 바카라사이트 focus of most academics�� work �C?making research a priority for many. Ministry of Education shows that, as a result, 바카라사이트 introduction of 바카라사이트 PBRF saw an increase in 바카라사이트 quality and quantity of research. New Zealand universities boosted both 바카라사이트ir share of 바카라사이트 world��s premium publications and 바카라사이트ir share of global citations. Those gains increased, moreover, as 바카라사이트 PBRF bedded in. And, whatever 바카라사이트 union might argue, 바카라사이트re is no evidence of any fall-off in 바카라사이트 quality of teaching.

The complaints and 바카라사이트 lobbying have continued unabated, however. Will 바카라사이트 new review lead to 바카라사이트 complete overhaul sought by 바카라사이트 TEU? And if so, will that come at 바카라사이트 expense of rising research performance? Watch this space.

Roger Smyth is an independent consultant and adviser. He is 바카라사이트 former head of tertiary education policy at New Zealand��s Ministry of Education.