[csaa-forum] removal of journal ranking system

[Tseen-Ling Khoo]

Further to what Andrew Murphie just said about the Science Academy: I just received this (below) via another list.
 
Tseen
 
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Science Academy welcomes decision to drop ERA journal rankings
  
 
The Australian Academy of Science welcomed today's decision by the
Government and the Australian Research Council to end the system of
ranking academic journals as A*, A, B and C.
The ranking system was a highly controversial component of the
Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment of university
disciplines.
Science Minister Kim Carr today announced that the rankings system will
end, giving more authority to the panels that examine and assess
research activities undertaken around Australian universities on a
discipline-by-discipline basis.
Australian Academy of Science Secretary for Science Policy Professor Bob
Williamson said the new approach is much more appropriate than
bibliometric assessments of disciplines. 
"In our recent submission to the Australian Research Council, the
Australian Academy of Science argued strongly that key areas such as
interdisciplinary research and new research were seriously disadvantaged
by journal ranking," Professor Williamson said. 
"This affected not only areas of science and technology, but also
interactions between the sciences and the humanities."
"It has been very distressing to see some universities using
publications in highly ranked journals as the basis for funding,
promotions, and even staff appointments. 
"The ranking of a journal as A* does not mean every paper in it is first
rate, and some very good papers may appear in smaller journals. 
"People whose work is very relevant to Australian issues rather than
internationally, and those in new fields or collaborating between
several universities, have been particularly disadvantaged."
The Academy's submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) ERA
consultation process earlier this year urged a move towards the type of
peer-review system announced today.  
"We welcomed most features of the ERA, and today's announcement has
removed the single biggest problem," Professor Williamson said.
"The integrity of science relies upon this type of peer review. The
Academy commends Minister Carr for recognising that this process also
should be integral to assessing the quality of Australian research."
The Academy's submission is available at 
www.science.org.au/reports/documents/era-submission%20.pdf 
Professor Williamson is available for comment until 7:15pm today on 0409
706 255. 
 

 
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