Next-Generation Research Program Assessment

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This project will link the U.S. research assessment community to world discussions of theproblems and prospects of new ways of viewing the management of research. Theindicator systems that are currently in use for research programs around the world willnot yield much useful information in the end, because they are too closely tied to currentmanagement information systems and therefore to input, process, and output measures.The next generation of assessments must get a better handle on outcomes in order to meetthe demands of legislatures for broader public accountability. This project will bringtogether those who are beginning to develop a new generation of measures andapproaches. The project will first work on identifying world resources in this area andmake that information available on a Web site. The centerpiece of the project is a three-dayretreat, envisioned for spring 2001, that will involve the key crafters of newapproaches to research assessment, from both the U.S. and other countries. Leading up tothe workshop, the project will re-establish network connections among researchers andagency assessment staff in the United States, through a series of network meetings inWashington. The main products will be a research agenda for the area; a U.S.-basednetwork, with international connections, bringing together academic researchers fromdifferent fields with agency staff; and elements of training for a new generation ofassessment professionals.