RESEARCH EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR: BEST PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The need to assess outstanding inquiry in Ukraine within the context of global spread of RE initiatives in recent decades is reified. RE is delineated as the highest quality of research output that is of pioneering nature of international extent and its socio-economic impact can be measured. The advantages of pre-eminent evaluation of RE in HE sector are actuated with the imbrication of R&D and its utilization for the training of knowledge workers with postgraduate qualifications; the flagship university’s social mission accomplishment within a regional community; and the impact of entrepreneurial university partnerships upon economy. The studies of best practices of RE evaluation induce a blueprint of sectoral indicators for a pilot project of the Ukrainian RE Framework where the weight of research output is 60%, socio-economic impact is 30%, and the knowledge transfer is 10%. The sectoral indicators of outstanding research are of general tentative nature. They are detailed into interdisciplinary or subject specific pointers by the research team (institution) in case the relevant national checklists are not available. The ratio of citations per number of publications (indicator 5.2.1) is intended for two periods: from the beginning of the research to the evidence collection date and for the specified prior public research if it has taken place. The particulars of indicator 5.3 (application of research output in HE) principally focus on integration of research findings into teaching, learning and training, notably postbachelors. The summing up after the pilot project termination signals for the opportunity to start nation-wide application of the Ukrainian RE Framework.

Keywords

• indicators and evaluation framework, higher education, higher education institutions, research and experimental development, research excellence, research outputs and impact