The South African system of evaluating and rating individual researchers : its merits, shortcomings, impact and future

The former Foundation for Research Development (FRD) in South Africa has for the last 15 years developed and applied a unique research evaluation and rating system in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and technology. A multi-dimensional, multi-phased evaluation process is followed to judge the quality and impact of research-based outputs. Individual researchers are ranked in terms of the FRD rating categories, and this is eventually one of the mechanisms used both to identify suitable candidates in whom to invest and to determine levels of investment. This article outlines the development and implementation/application of the system and describes some of the impacts of the approach on research development. The challenges facing the system in view of the mandate of the recently established National Research Foundation are outlined. Until April 1999, the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) was responsible for the funding of research in the natural sciences, engineering and technology (SET) in South Africa. At the heart of the research support of most programmes of the former FRD was the awarding of competitive peer-reviewed grants based on a two-tiered approach. This approach entailed, first, the ranking of applicants though a retrospective evaluation of their research outputs (namely the research evaluation rating system) and, second, an assessment of the research plans of rated candidates. This article focuses on the first aspect, the research evaluation rating system; and covers its development, implementation and impact on the natural science and engineering community in South Africa. Given the recent establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the research funding agency not only for SET, but also for the human, social and health sciences, the appropriateness of this approach within a broader context is assessed, taking into account changes and challenges apparent within the South African national system of innovation (NSI).