Research evaluation

Logo Evaluation

Scientific research assumes significant importance in Ca' Foscari's overall strategy and is one of the elements with the highest impact on the university performance and quality assessment exercises carried out periodically by ANVUR (Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes).

The quality of the research conducted at Ca' Foscari is also the subject of internal evaluation processes, consistent with government standards and related to resources' allocation.

Research Quality Assessment (VQR)

The VQR is the Research Quality Assessment procedure conducted by ANVUR (National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research) which evaluates the quality of scientific research products of State and non-State universities, of public research bodies supervised by MIUR and other public and private entities that apply for participation.

The evaluation of the research products of the reference period of the call is carried out among peers, organized into Evaluation Expert Groups (GEV) appointed by ANVUR and according to scientific area, which in turn may refer to the judgement of independent experts. The evaluation is based on criteria of originality, methodological rigour and impact - certified or potential - on the scientific community of reference. Furthermore, for the products of the scientific areas in which certified and relevant citation data are available, the GEVs may use bibliometric tools.

The VQR results are used for the allocation of the reward quota of the Ordinary Financing Fund (FFO), which, as established by Italian Law 98/2013, increases year by year, up to a maximum of 30%.

The 2015-2019 VQR is currently underway.

Departmental Allocations for Research (ADiR)

The Departmental Allocations for Research (ADiR) are a form of evaluation of the quality of the University's research and of funding, that foresees that each department can allocate annually to its researchers individual funding for research. The evaluation considers all publications of the previous three years and registered in the ARCA University Catalogue.

In line with the procedure adopted by ANVUR for VQR, the assessments are performed, depending on the nature of the individual product, using bibliometric or non-bibliometric methods, according to criteria that meet the characteristics of the different research areas.

Annual monitoring of departmental research and of the third mission

Monitoring of departmental research is a self-assessment exercise that requires each department to prepare an annual report on the research activity of its researchers according to a format prepared by the University Quality Assurance Unit, focused on the scientific production of researchers, the department’s actions in support of research, the analysis of critical issues and planned actions for improvement. Recently, the issues covered by the report have been extended to third mission activities.

The reports presented by the departments are submitted to the Rector, the Evaluation Unit and the Quality Assurance Unit, who may request further information and additions. Subsequently, the reports receive a judgement from the University Advisory Board. At the end of the process, the reports, together with the comments received, are brought to the attention of the Academic Senate.

Research evaluation support tools

Ca' Foscari has promoted the adoption and development of a series of tools to support the evaluation of University research, used both for the internal monitoring of the progress of scientific production, and to simulate the performance of individual researchers and departmental facilities in reference to the main evaluation models adopted by ANVUR and in comparison with the national and international context of reference.

These tools use the scientific production data available through internal databases, in particular the ARCA University Catalogue, and the bibliometric information accessible by subscription to the Elsevier-Scopus and Clarivate-Web of Science platforms. Furthermore, the ANVUR assessment parameters are continuously monitored and updated, in particular the lists of "scientific" and "Band A" journals, the ASN thresholds and the VQR and FFABR assessment models.

By accessing the dedicated page, detailed information is available on the three main support tools used by the University: the ARCA Catalogue, the Scival platform and the CRUI-UniBas support system.

Last update: 28/02/2023