LBTU signs the DORA Declaration to Enhance the Quality of Research Assessment
The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) has become the first higher education institution in Latvia to sign the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) on January 21, 2025. This declaration provides guidelines for fair and high-quality research assessment.
DORA was introduced in 2012 at the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology and has since evolved into a global initiative. The declaration emphasizes that the essence and content of scientific work are more important than the publication venue or metrics, such as the journal's prestige or impact factor.
DORA advocates for moving away from using journal-based quantitative metrics, like impact factors, as a measure of quality for individual research articles. It highlights the need to consider the significance and impact of all research outcomes—not just publications—when assessing research. Additionally, it encourages the use of a broad range of impact metrics, including qualitative indicators, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of scientific contributions.
As a member of the Research Latvia communication platform, LBTU fully aligns with the philosophy and values promoted by DORA and is committed to incorporating these principles into the university's operations. LBTU prioritizes diverse, transparent, and high-quality research as the foundation for developing a sustainable research culture and contributing to the global scientific community.
LBTU believes that the principles outlined in the DORA declaration are essential to fulfilling the university's mission: "to create an internationally competitive, innovative, creative, and sustainable future for the development of society."
LBTU is dedicated to upholding the principles of DORA in all its activities, fostering a fair, transparent, and inclusive culture of research assessment.