Responsible use of publication metrics at the University of Oulu

Recommendation for the responsible use of publication metrics at the University of Oulu

The University of Oulu has committed to the responsible use of publication metrics by signing the DORA Declaration in 2020. The main recommendation of Dora prohibits the use of journal-based indicators (such as the Journal Impact Factor and the Publication Forum Classification) as a substitute for measuring the quality of an individual research article when evaluating an individual researcher. It is important to follow this recommendation, since the quality of an individual publication does not depend on the level of the publication channel in which it is published.

Things to consider 

1. It is recommended that publication metrics are used mainly to support qualitative peer review. When evaluating an individual researcher, expert evaluation should be used as the main evaluation method.

2. Journal-based metrics, such as Journal impact factor or Publication Forum classification, should not be used as a substitute for measuring the quality of an individual research article when evaluating an individual researcher. The University of Oulu has committed to this by signing the DORA Declaration.

3. The publication metrics should be based on data relevant to the subject of the evaluation. The known limitations of the data must be stated.

4. The data, methods of analysis and results shall be as open and transparent as possible. Whenever possible, the subject of the evaluation should be able to verify the data used in the analyses and the results of the analyses.

5. Disciplinary differences and interdisciplinarity should be taken into account when producing and using publication metrics.

6. The publication indicators to be used in the evaluation should be selected in such a way that they can meet the objectives of the evaluation.

7. The results should be reported with the accuracy of the indicator values relevant to the subject, methods and data of the evaluation. Inappropriate indicators should be excluded from the reporting.

8. Expertise in the field should be used when producing and using publication metrics

Dora Declaration (San Franscisco Declaration on Research Assessment) 

Read more in Patio 

For more information on the subject, see the Finnish national guide to publication metrics