REF Tool
The REF Tool is implemented at Unit of Assessment level and is managed locally by Unit of Assessment Leads. It focuses on quality assessment of outputs that are candidates for inclusion in the University鈥檚 submission to the REF 2029.
This page provides:
- An overview of the REF Tool
- Information for researchers on how to select outputs for assessment and what to expect from the REF Tool
- Information for UOA Leads on the requirements of the REF Tool and how to use the newly developed system to support quality assessments process and record scores
- Information for Assessors on their REF Tool and their role as assessors.
Overview
Selection of outputs for assessment
Outputs for assessment are typically those selected by researchers for inclusion in the UOA pool of available outputs for REF. Not all outputs will require assessment via the REF Tool. RDLs and UOA Leads can provide advice and support to researchers when thinking about their selections. Researchers are encouraged to discuss their portfolio as part of their Annual Research Plans.Assessors
Unit of Assessment Leads will put in place a local assessment process that enables robust assessment in the disciplines covered in the UOA. For this, UOA Leads will establish a pool of expert assessors covering of fields within the UOA. UOA Leads will provide training for assessors and lead calibration exercises to ensure consistency in the application of criteria, adherence to relevant policies (including Responsible Use of Metrics) and to minimise the introduction of bias.
Where there is not sufficient internal expertise in a particular field to enable independent assessment, the UOA Lead will be able to engage external independent assessors.
Assessors are required to keep assessments and discussions about individual outputs confidential. The UOA Lead is required to keep outputs allocations to individual assessors confidential at all times. Scores and justification by individual assessor will not be disclosed to authors.
Quality assessment
Quality assessment must be based on at least two individual assessments, at least one of which will be from an expert in the field. Assessors are required to justify scores given against REF criteria. A final score is determined by the UOA Lead based on the scores and justifications from assessors. All 伊人直播app authors named in the output will receive the final score given by the UOA Lead to the output.
The REF Tool is output-centric, therefore ensuring that unique outputs are assessed only once in a given UOA, independently of how may authors have put the output forward for assessment.
Quality assessments are academic judgements and therefore cannot be appealed.
How assessment scores are used
Scores in the REF Tool will be used to inform models and selections for submission to the REF. All data captured through the process will be used in line with the Privacy Notice.
Scores collected via the tool are not currently intended to be used to inform performance or recognition processes and will not be used to that effect. Any future change (should there be any) will not be based on data collected prior to the change being implemented.