Writing for REF Introduction The Research Excellence Framework is the mechanism by which the quality of research produced by United Kingdom universities is evaluated. Allocation of government funding reflects that results of the REF and the process is thus extremely important for the University. The last exercise was in 2014 and the next is likely to be in 2020 and be conducted under very similar rules. 65% of the score was based on the quality of research In the context of the School of Health Sciences these are papers accepted “outputs”. for publication in peer reviewed journals. The vast number of outputs submitted (191,150) were appraised by a relative small number of reviews (898 members of the academic panels). On average therefore members reviewed over 400 papers (all were sent to at least two reviewers). Most panel members will have been extremely conscientious but you can see that your paper will be one among many that the member is looking at. The onus is thus on you to write the paper in such a way that its quality stands out to the reviewer. This document is written to provide advice to you on how to achieve this. Grading Each academic is allowed to submit a maximum of four papers each one of which is assessed by the REF panels as being in one of five categories: Four star Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Three star Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence. Two star Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. One star Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Unclassified Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work or does not meet the published definition of research for the purposes of this assessment. Future allocation of research funds was determined in REF 2014 on the basis of three star and four star publications only. Following this the University has placed a very high premium on research active staff publishing at least four three or four star papers before REF 2020. There are many valid reasons for publishing one and two star papers but such you should make publishing at least four papers of three or four star quality your first priority. Note that publishing appropriate one and two star papers may be an important strategy to achieve this. Publishing a one or two star technical note to establish a methodology may give you more space to establish the three or four star quality of a subsequent definitive paper.
Writing for REF Introduction The Research Excellence Framework is the mechanism by which the quality of research produced by United Kingdom universities is evaluated. Allocation of government funding reflects that results of the REF and the process is thus extremely important for the University. The last exercise was in 2014 and the next is likely to be in 2020 and be conducted under very similar rules. 65% of the score was based on the quality of research “outputs”. In the context of the School of Health Sciences these are papers accepted for publication in peer reviewed journals. The vast number of outputs submitted (191,150) were appraised by a relative small number of reviews (898 members of the academic panels). On average therefore members reviewed over 400 papers (all were sent to at least two reviewers). Most panel members will have been extremely conscientious but you can see that your paper will be one among many that the member is looking at. The onus is thus on you to write the paper in such a way that its quality stands out to the reviewer. This document is written to provide advice to you on how to achieve this. Grading Each academic is allowed to submit a maximum of four papers each one of which is assessed by the REF panels as being in one of five categories: Four star Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Three star Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence. Two star Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. One star Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Unclassified Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work or does not meet the published definition of research for the purposes of this assessment. Future allocation of research funds was determined in REF 2014 on the basis of three star and four star publications only. Following this the University has placed a very high premium on research active staff publishing at least four three or four star papers before REF 2020. There are many valid reasons for publishing one and two star papers but such you should make publishing at least four papers of three or four star quality your first priority. Note that publishing appropriate one and two star papers may be an important strategy to achieve this. Publishing a one or two star technical note to establish a methodology may give you more space to establish the three or four star quality of a subsequent definitive paper.
Writing-for-REF.docx