Evaluation of research quality in the ALF regions

The Swedish Research Council has been tasked to evaluate the quality of the clinical research conducted in the seven regions covered by the ALF agreement.

The ALF agreement states that 20 per cent of the ALF funding for clinical research shall be allocated on the basis of research quality. The allocation of the funding is based on the Swedish Research Council’s evaluation of the quality of clinical research conducted in the ALF regions, and the resource allocation model produced by the national ALF steering committee.

In this context, and according to Clause 7 of the ALF agreement, clinical research is defined as “research that requires access to the structures and resources of the health services, and for which the aim is to solve a health problem, or identify factors that lead to improved healthsuch research as assumes the structures and resources of healthcare, and has the goal of solving an ill health problem, or identifying factors that lead to increased health”.

Three aspects of quality are evaluated:

  1. The quality of the scientific output
  2. The clinical significance and societal impact of the clinical research
  3. The prerequisites for clinical research

In addition to forming the basis for the allocation of 20 per cent of the ALF funding, the evaluation aims to identify, highlight and reward good examples in the regions that stand out nationally through their quality work. These regions can then serve as examples to other regions. The long-term goal is to raise the quality of all Swedish clinical research.

How the evaluation is done

Three panels with international members evaluate and assess the documentation sent in by the ALF regions. The contents and grounds for assessment are decided by the Swedish Research Council, based on the starting points produced by the national ALF steering committee. The starting points of the steering committee are as follows:

1. The quality of the scientific output

2. The clinical significance and societal impact of the clinical research

3. The prerequisites for clinical research

PublISHED ON

UpDATED ON

MORE WITHIN THE SAME SUBJECT AREA

  1. New evaluation of Swedish basic medical research shows both strengths and development areas

    There is basic medical research in Sweden that is of very high quality and offers important solutions to societal challenges, particularly in health. This was established by the international panel that evaluated the research at seven universities, u...

  2. Quality and impact of research in basic medicine in Sweden

    The Swedish Research Council has conducted a national evaluation of the research field basic medicine using its evaluation model. The aim was to assess both the scientific quality and the research's impact on society. An international expert panel as...

  3. Just over 75 per cent of clinical studies registered after one year

    As from 2022, all clinical studies funded by the Swedish Research Council shall be registered in a public database. A recent follow-up shows that the majority of the clinical studies awarded funding in 2022 have been registered.