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Indicators Development Group

The Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative will undertake evaluations of the research in Australian higher education institutions at a discipline level according to research quality and activity. Evaluations will assess research excellence using a combination of indicators and expert review. It is expected that some indicators will be applicable to all disciplines while some will be discipline-specific.

The ARC established the Indicators Development Group (IDG) in August 2008 to consider, test and recommend appropriate discipline-specific indicators, including metrics and other proxies of quality and activity. The IDG reported directly to the CEO of the ARC, Professor Margaret Sheil.

The IDG comprised a core of research metrics and statistical experts, with the ad- hoc appointment of leading researchers representing disciplines where there are particular difficulties with the identification of appropriate metrics. Visit the IDG membership page for information about the IDG members.

In addition, the ARC established two sub-committees to assist the IDG with the development of the approach to the evaluation of research in the Creative Arts and in the Humanities. The sub- group were chaired by leading researchers from the sector, and comprised eminent members of the sector with expertise in the relevant disciplines for Cluster 2. The sub-committees reported directly to the IDG.

Visit the Creative Arts sub-group membership page for information about the Creative Arts sub-group members.

Visit the Humanities sub-group membership page for information about the Humanities sub-group members.

In October 2008, the ARC also convened a sub-group to advise the IDG on appropriate discipline-specific indicators for the Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences. This was vital to ensure indicators were developed in time for the Cluster One and Two evaluations in early-2009.

Indicators Development Group and sub-committees progress report – October 2008