Using REF data in research is a balancing act

Output scores contain valuable insights—but analysis must not undermine assessment’s purpose, says Steven Hill

Maximising the effectiveness of investment in research means using the best available evidence for where that investment goes and what it produces. The study of the processes of science and research has a long history, but recent years have seen an increasing focus on what has become known as metascience, metaresearch or research on research. 

The UK already has the Research on Research Institute, established in 2019. Earlier this year, the government announced £10 million for a metascience unit within UK Research and Innovation, operated jointly by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Economic and Social Research Council.