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SUMMARY:Lessons from the history and philosophy of science for research as
 sessment systems - Donald Gillies (UCL)
DTSTART:20101118T163000Z
DTEND:20101118T180000Z
UID:TALK26659@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Nicky Reeves
DESCRIPTION:The thesis of this paper is that material from the history and
  philosophy of science is highly relevant to the question of the efficacy 
 of research assessment systems such as the RAE or REF. Systems of this kin
 d are based on peer review or metrics. However\, the study of historical e
 xamples such as Frege\, Semmelweis and Copernicus shows that both peer rev
 iew and metrics have important defects and can lead to the rejection of in
 novative research. This phenomenon is explained using ideas of Kuhn and La
 katos. The conclusion drawn is that systems such as the RAE or REF are lik
 ely to make research output worse rather than better\, and an alternative 
 approach to research organisation is suggested.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 2\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
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