Research Assessment Exercise
The Research Assessment Exercise is an attempt by the government of the United Kingdom to evaluate the quality of research undertaken by British Universities. Each subject, called a unit of assessment is given a ranking by a peer review panel. The rankings are used in the allocation of funding each university receives from the government.
Previous RAEs took place in 1992, 1996 and 2001. The next is scheduled in 2008.
Scale
In 2001 and 1996 the following descriptions were used for each of the ratings. The scale used in 1992 is given in brackets.
- 5* Research quality that equates to attainable levels of international excellence in more than half of the research activity submitted and attainable levels of national excellence in the remainder.
- 5 (5) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of international excellence in up to half of the research activity submitted and to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all of the remainder. (Same definition)
- 4 (4) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all of the research activity submitted, showing some evidence of international excellence. (Same definition.)
- 3a (3) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in over two-thirds of the research activity submitted, possibly showing evidence of international excellence. (Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in a majority of the sub-areas of activity, or to international level in some.)
- 3b (3) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in more than half of the research activity submitted. (Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in a majority of the sub-areas of activity, or to international level in some.)
- 2 (2) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in up to half of the research activity submitted. (Same definition.)
- 1 (1) Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in none, or virtually none, of the research activity submitted. (Same definition.)