5.2.1 Combining ERA and EI The ARC is also interested in whether or not combining the ERA and EI methodologies into a single national assessment could streamline and reduce the reporting and assessment burden on universities. The UK Research Evaluation Framework (REF) currently includes an assessment of research quality and impact. However, it is important to consider that the policy objectives of the REF and funding structures in the UK are quite different to those in Australia, and therefore a similar approach may not be applicable or desired in the Australian context. ERA and EI have different policy objectives to each other, and, for example, to the UK’s REF. While there may be some advantages in combining ERA and EI, equally, keeping them separate may enable an agile and responsive assessment framework that meets the needs of Government and the university sector over the coming years. In addition, some universities have indicated that a combined, single assessment may increase the reporting and assessment burden on the sector 5.2.2 Single collection and reuse of data The House of Representatives report on Australian Government Funding Arrangements for non- NHMRC research, recommended that ‘Universities no longer be required to provide any information or data that is already available. 22 Suggestions put forward in submissions included the single collection of HERDC data. DESE and the ARC are investigating the possibility of a single collection of HERDC data but the ARC is also interested in other suggestions for presently available data that ARC could utilise for ERA.
Issues to be explored
Q5.5
ERA and EI should be combined into the one assessment. Strongly agree; Agree; Neither agree nor disagree; Disagree; Strongly disagree. Please explain your answer. a. What would be the advantages and/or disadvantages. Please explain your answer. Are there other ways to streamline the processes to reduce the cost to universities of participating in ERA and EI? Yes/No. Please explain your answer.
Q5.6
Q5.7
In your view, what data sources could ERA utilise? Please explain your answer.
Q5.8
In your view, what are the most time-consuming elements of an ERA submission? Please describe.
a. Are there efficiencies that could be introduced? Yes/No. Please describe.
Q5.9
In your view what are the most time-consuming elements of an EI submission? Please describe.
a. Are there efficiencies that could be introduced? Yes/No. Please describe.
22 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training, Australian Government Funding Arrangements for non-NHMRC Research, (Canberra: Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, 2018).
35
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator