This page brings together DORA-produced reports, guidance, practical tools, slide decks and graphics to support responsible research assessment. Resources address institutional reform, funding decisions, quantitative indicators, narrative CVs and other aspects of assessment practice.
Position paper on the state of play of responsible research assessment practices from funders. 2020.
This report collects case studies in institutional change for academic career assessment that serve as inspiration for universities and other actors looking to improve their policies and practices. Supports the DORA case study repository. 2021.
This document provides guidance on the use of several indicators (sometimes called metrics) used in research assessment: the Journal Impact Factor and other measurements of journals, citation counts, h-index, field-normalized citation indicators, and altmetrics. Five principles guide the use of these metrics: be clear, be transparent, be specific, be contextual, and be fair. Also available on Zenodo and Google Docs. A summary slide deck is also available. 2024.
This report summarizes key takeaways from a workshop co-organized by DORA, the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, and the MoreBrains Cooperative. The online workshop developed actions to improve the processes that take place before research is submitted for funding (pre-award processes), such as the timing of proposal calls and deadlines, transparency and guidance, phrasing and language use, selection and training of reviewers, and planning for “evaluating the evaluators” or “evaluating the evaluation process.” Also available on Zenodo. 2024.
This practical guide provides action-oriented guidance, resources, and illustrative examples, for research performing organizations (RPOs) who are looking to shape and deliver responsible research assessment (RRA) practices. Learn about the context, goals, and underpinning principles of RRA; nine crucial activities for catalyzing research assessment reform; four key assessment moments that impact researchers’ careers; and global initiatives and frameworks that align with RRA, helping you explore the landscape for reform. Also available on Zenodo. Part of Project TARA. 2025.
These three informational briefs offer concise, audience-specific insights and action points to help catalyze change across different roles and levels of responsibility. The three briefs are: Informational Brief on the Landscape; Informational Brief for Leadership; Informational Brief for RRA Task Forces. The briefs complement the full Practical Guide for RPOs. Available on Zenodo. Part of Project TARA. 2025.
Eight one-pagers distill key insights from the full Practical Guide for RPOs, offering clear summaries, suggested interventions, and illustrative examples across several core areas of assessment reform. Topics are the same as the Guide, including key activities for developing an RRA strategy and key moments in research and researcher assessment. Available on Zenodo. Part of Project TARA. 2025.
Three slide decks support the introduction of the Practical Guide for Research Performing Organizations.
This practical guide provides action-oriented guidance, resources, and examples for research funding organizations (RFOs) who are looking to develop and deliver responsible research assessment (RRA) practices. Learn about the aims and underpinning principles of RRA; seven key activities that can enable and facilitate research assessment reform; ideas for how and when to introduce RRA-aligned processes and practices within five moments of assessment in the funding lifecycle; and how RRA is intertwined with components of the research system that seek to enhance research quality and its impact. Also available on Zenodo. Developed in collaboration with the Global Research Council RRA Working Group and Science Europe. 2026.
Three Informational Briefs offer concise, insights and action points aimed at the key audiences of the Guide. The Briefs comprise: An overview of the Landscape for RRA; Informational Brief for Leadership; Informational Brief for Program Staff. The briefs are informed by and complement the full Practical Guide for RFOs. Available on Zenodo. 2026.
Eight one-pagers distill key insights from the full Practical Guide for RFOs, offering clear summaries, suggested interventions, and illustrative examples across several core areas of assessment reform. Topics are the same as the Guide, including key activities for developing an RRA strategy and key moments in research and researcher assessment. Available on Zenodo. 2026.
Two slide decks support the introduction and the use of the Practical Guide for Research Funding Organizations.
This report consolidates key learnings from a workshop on the adoption of narrative CVs for funding organizations. 2021.
This report outlines recommend three key actions to move forward in the implementation of narrative CVs from narrative CV workshops. 2024.
One page tool for research funders promoting a more holistic approach to evaluating funding proposals. See also the supporting video. 2022.
One page tool that outlines five common myths about research evaluation to help universities better understand barriers to change and provides analogous examples to illustrate how these myths exist inside and outside of academia. 2020.
One page tool that identifies seven personal biases that can influence hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions. 2020.
One page tool that identifies strategies for including more perspectives and reducing biases in the evaluation processes for hiring, promotion, tenure, and funding decisions. Part of Project TARA. 2022.
One page tool that outlines and illustrates the wide variety of academic achievements and outcomes that could be considered “impactful.” Part of Project TARA. 2022.
A one page tool that illustrates how data is categorized in the Reformscape observatory of responsible research assessment reform policies. It provides a visual alternative to the description of categories in the Reformscape glossary. Part of Project TARA. Also available on Zenodo. 2024.
The SPACE rubric was developed to help institutions at any stage of academic assessment reform gauge their institutional ability to support interventions and set them up for success. 2021.
A compilation of resources to run a workshop. Includes a slide deck, pre-work, pre-worksheet, reading, breakout room facilitator instructions, and workbook. Several parts available in Spanish. 2021.
One page tool outlines ideas for research funders to optimize, evaluate and iterate on the use of narrative CVs for funding decisions. Supports report, “Using Narrative CVs: Identifying shared objectives and monitoring effectiveness.” 2024.
Three presentations (one slide, short talk, long talk) describing DORA and its mission. Updated regularly.
A presentation describing the main points of DORA’s guidance in indicators. 2024.
The badges for our signatories show support for DORA, raise awareness about research assessment, and serve as a conversation starter with individuals or organizations that have not heard about DORA yet.
