Two new recommendations issued to improve responsible researcher evaluation

Finland has issued two new national recommendations to improve the evaluation of researchers and a CV template for supporting the use of the recommendations. The recommendations and CV template were published in connection with a seminar on responsible evaluation on 18 March. The recommendations provide a basis and direction for changes affecting the entire scientific community.

The recommendation on researcher evaluation, published by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, provides the scientific community with common principles for the responsible scientific assessment of researchers. The recommendation is also very well suited to the Academy of Finland’s work to develop its review of funding applications. In fact, the Academy’s existing review process complies with the principles of the recommendation in many respects. The review criteria for the Academy’s various funding opportunities are openly available, and the peer review is mainly based on a qualitative evaluation of the research plan.

The national recommendation on the responsible use of publication metrics, drawn up by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, further strengthens and clarifies the principles for the use publication metrics. The recommendation shows that the numerical value given by an individual meter is not suitable or sufficient for assessing a researcher.

The updated researcher CV template, prepared by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity, can almost be used as is in the Academy of Finland’s calls. The template reflects well the diversity of research careers and research outputs. Scientific and social impact form a whole that highlights the promotion of open science and research, the production and responsible sharing of research and data materials, the utilisation of research outputs and the merits of science communication.

Close dialogue and cooperation in the entire scientific community are therefore needed in planning and implementing the changes brought about by these recommendations. When researchers, research organisations and funders work together towards a common goal, their actions and efforts produce the best results.

• Recommendation for the responsible evaluation of a researcher (incl. recommendation for responsible use of publication metrics)
• Updated template for researcher CV