The National Research Foundation's rating system: why scientists let their ratings lapse

The National Research Foundation in South Africa provides an individualized evaluation and rating system of funded researchers. Some researchers, however, allow their ratings to lapse. This article reports on the results of an investigation into the reasons for this happening, as revealed by the researchers themselves. The findings can assist the NRF and universities improve their operations and may encourage researchers to express their opinions concerning the evaluation programme. Linking ratings with funding is the most important recommendation for improving the present system, with likely benefits for the NRF, researchers and the reviewers who provide the evaluations.