Setting the stage for the assessment of research quality in the humanities. Consolidating the results of four empirical studies

Abstract

The assessment of research performance in the humanities is an intricate and highly discussed topic. Many problems have yet to be solved, foremost the question of the humanities scholars’ acceptance of evaluation tools and procedures. This article presents the results of a project funded by the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities in which an approach to research evaluation in the humanities is developed that focuses on consensuality. We describe the results of four studies and integrate them into limitations and opportunities of research quality assessment in the humanities. The results indicate that while an assessment by means of quantitative indicators exhibits limitations, a research assessment by means of quality criteria presents opportunities to evaluate humanities research and make it visible. Indicators that are linked to the humanities scholars’ notions of quality can be used to support peers in the evaluation process (informed peer review).