Finding “good enough” metrics for the UK’s research excellence framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage discussion about the potential role of metrics in research assessment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers the results of the UK’s 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and the potential of metrics to reduce the size of future exercises. Findings – The paper suggests that a battery of non-robust metrics selected by the higher education institutions could support a greatly reduced peer-reviewed exercise. Practical implications – Policy makers should reconsider the role of metrics in research assessment. Originality/value – The paper provides an alternative vision of the role of metrics in research assessment, and will be of interest to policy makers, bibliometricians, and anyone interested in HEI research assessment.