[Which are the elements of an international evaluation of research? Experiences from an evaluation of Swedish psychiatric research].
BACKGROUND
In order to ensure the quality of research, it is necessary to perform an external evaluation of the quality and structure of the research environments on a regular basis and consider them in a national and international perspective.


METHODS
There are several ways of evaluating research. The author mentions an audit-like expert evaluation based on his own experience from an evaluation of Swedish psychiatric research in 2000.


CONCLUSIONS
A short comparison with Danish psychiatric research is made. One of the advantages of this method is that the research evaluation can be carried out by the members of the research teams in an open dialogue among peers. This procedure makes it possible to focus on weaknesses and strengths with the purpose of planning future strategies and organisation in the most appropriate way. An obvious limitation, however, is the competence assigned to the expert group whose composition is important for the result.
Rosenberg
Raben
R
Afdeling for Biologisk Psykiatri, Institut for Psykiatrisk Grundforskning, Psykiatrisk Hospital i Aarhus, DK-8240 Risskov.
D035843:Biomedical Research; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000379:methods; D011570:Psychiatry; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000592:standards; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D013548:Sweden