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New expectations and demands from science: Rethinking research assessment frameworks

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  • OECD

Abstract

Research assessment frameworks play a central role in shaping the priorities, direction, and culture of scientific research. Yet there are growing concerns over their misalignment with evolving policy priorities, public expectations, and new demands from science. Over-reliance on narrow performance measures has generated perverse incentives and undesirable behaviours. At the same time, these measures tend to undervalue critical research practices and outputs, such as collaboration, openness, societal engagement, and support to policy making. This paper provides a system-level overview of research assessment, highlighting key tensions, mapping the main actors and drivers, and identifying a set of common reform principles through a comparative review of the literature. It makes the case for developing new assessment frameworks that are better aligned with the evolving expectations and demands placed on science.

Suggested Citation

  • Oecd, 2026. "New expectations and demands from science: Rethinking research assessment frameworks," OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers 2026/7, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2026/7-en
    DOI: 10.1787/0c685800-en
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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact

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