The aim of the Research Quality Framework initiative is to develop the basis for an improved assessment of the quality and impact of publicly funded research and an effective process to achieve this.
The Framework should:
- be transparent to government and taxpayers so that they are better informed about the results of the public investment in research;
- ensure that all publicly funded research agencies and research providers are encouraged to focus on the quality and relevance of their research; and
- avoid a high cost of implementation and imposing a high administration burden on research providers.
In late March, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, released the Research Quality Framework: Assessing the quality and impact of research in Australia - Final Advice on the Preferred RQF Model paper from Expert Advisory Group (EAG), chaired by Sir Gareth Roberts, which has been developing the Research Quality Framework (RQF), in consultation with Australia's higher education and research sectors.
The recently announced RQF Development Advisory Group (RQFDAG), to be chaired by Australia 's Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock AC will provide advice on the next phase of the RQF process, particularly how the model, if adopted by the Government, could be most effectively implemented.
The RQF initiative was announced by the Prime Minister in May 2004 and is part of the $8.3 billion Backing Australia's Ability package.
The RQF Final Advice paper is available at: http://www.dest.gov.au/resqual/default.htm
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