Evaluation of scientific research streamlined

China will streamline the process of evaluating research programs and the academic performance of researchers and research institutes, a new guideline disclosed last week.

The guideline aims to reduce the number of assessments and improve efficiency of research by 2020.

By doing so, resources will be better allocated and researchers can be more motivated to enhance innovation, according to the guideline issued jointly by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Goals, criteria and methods will be carefully designed to simplify procedures and value academic progress and performance of researchers and research institutes, the document said.

Efforts should be made to show limitations of the current appraisal system and remove institutional barriers, it said.

Research programs of different disciplines, such as social sciences and military sciences, will have different assessment standards and procedures.

Reviews by other researchers, including those from overseas, will be introduced to increase transparency and openness, so the independence and impartiality of such assessments can be ensured, the guideline added.