N-Best Evaluation for Academic Hiring and Promotion

Area of Science:

• Scientific evaluation methodologies
• Research assessment
• Academic career progression

Background:

• Current systems for evaluating scientists often lead to unintended negative consequences.
• These "perverse incentives" can distort research priorities and practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative evaluation framework for scientists.
• To align performance metrics with the production of high-quality scientific output.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of the "N-best policy" for scientific evaluation.
• Hiring and promotion committees would solicit a limited number of research products for review.

Main Results:

• This policy shifts the focus from quantity or citation counts to the intrinsic quality of research.
• It encourages a more accurate assessment of a scientist's contributions.

Conclusions:

• The N-best policy offers a more effective method for evaluating scientific merit.
• Implementing this approach can foster a research environment that prioritizes genuine scientific achievement.