The evaluation of the quality of research

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Abstract
This article discusses the contexts in which it is necessary to evaluate the quality of research, the determinants of quality, and how quality can be evaluated. This is a field in which there is now a very substantial literature, and most of the article summarises and discusses some of the main books and articles in the English language reporting research in this field, published up to October 1986, especially those which themselves summarise the research done in particular areas. Amongst the criteria for the evaluation of research that are discussed are peer review, numbers of publications, counts of citations, and the numbers and value of research grants.