Research Quality Assessment (VQR)

The VQR is a periodic process conducted by ANVUR to evaluate research within the scope of its institutional responsibilities, as established by Presidential Decrees 76/2010 and related ministerial decrees.

ANVUR conducted two evaluation cycles, VQR1 (2004-2010) and VQR2 (2011-2014), each started with a Ministerial Decree and a specific call for proposals which defined the rules, criteria and timing.

The VQR evaluates the scientific research of universities in a given period and produces a detailed Final Report with evaluations at different levels.

The results are summarized in a national ranking by scientific area and institution, and analyze the position of Italian research at an international level.

The following are evaluated: scientific production in terms of relevance, originality and methodological rigor; the ability to obtain external funding through competitive calls; recruitment policies based on mobility and training of professional figures; the use of own resources for research projects. The evaluation of scientific production uses peer reviews and bibliometric analysis for articles indexed in ISI and Scopus databases.

In addition to the socio-economic impacts, the economic benefits derived from research (patents, spin-offs, research contracts) and the production of public goods of an educational, cultural and social nature are considered.