The outputs from scientific research are many and varied, including: research articles reporting new knowledge, data, reagents, and software; intellectual property; and highly trained young scientists. Funding agencies, institutions that employ scientists, and scientists themselves, all have a desire, and need, to assess the quality and impact of scientific outputs. It is thus imperative that scientific output is measured accurately and evaluated wisely.

Currently, the so-called Journal Impact Factor is mostly used for the assessment, but it is subject to criticism. The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA makes concrete recommendations for improving the assessment of research outputs. For example, in addition to research articles, other outputs should also be taken into account in future when assessing research effectiveness. Other recommendations aim, for example, to use the possibilities of online publication and to develop new indicators.

To San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment 

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