Relative values of outputs and impact case studies

The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) had weightings based on awarding 65% for outputs, 20% for impact and 15% for environment. Within outputs, generally speaking each member of staff (full-time equivalent, FTE) was expected to produce four outputs. In 2021, however, impact case studies will represent 25% of the total, and each FTE will be expected to produce an average of 2.5 outputs. This tends to give more weight to the case studies, but how much more? Changes in staff thresholds also mean, for some units, fewer case studies will be needed.

We show how many outputs are the equivalent of a single impact case study, in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, for submssions of 10-14 staff, each impact case study has the same effect on the overall outcome/GPA as 5-7 outputs. For submissions including 20 or more staff, each impact case study has the same value as at least 7 outputs, which is rather more than any one individual could contribute, directly, by way of outputs.

For the larger submissions, reaching 40 staff or more, then each impact case study has the same impact on the overall GPA as around TEN outputs or more.

These results occur because of (a) the greater weighting of impact, (b) the reduced numbers of outputs to be considered and (c) for larger submissions, the slightly smaller number of case studies required.