Abstract:
This paper discusses the impact on research quality of New Zealand universities of the
Performance-Based Research Fund from 2003 to 2012. This is a peer-review process
involving assessment of individual researchers. The contribution to improvement in
research quality of transitions among research quality categories and entrants and exits of
individuals are identified. A substantial component of change has been the removal of
non-research active staff. There has been population ageing due to retention of older and
higher-quality researchers and a large reduction in the number of younger researchers.
Significant differences among universities are evident in the patterns of transformation.
The paper also critically considers the PBRF assessment process and characteristics of
the metrics used, suggesting scope for improvement in the assessment of researchers and
the way in which universities are ranked.
