Highly Integrated Basic and Applied Research

Program Areas – Science and Technology Policy, Education and Engagement

Draft Scoring Rubric to Evaluate HIBAR Efforts

Draft

A Suggested HIBAR Scoring Rubric

A scoring rubric might help assess the extent to which a research project qualifies as HIBAR. A reliable assessment tool could help universities monitor their progress in boosting HIBAR and could also help in communication efforts about its meaning and value. Shown below are 21 draft criteria for assessing the motivation, approaches and perspectives of projects. For clarity, examples should be developed for each, to best suit the relevant field and institution.

Motivation of Basic Research:

  1. Will success of the project require new kinds of deep understanding?
  2. Is the project intellectually challenging and stimulating?
  3. Will these insights be disseminated via academic journals and other scholarly outlets?

Motivation of Applied Research:

  1. Is a major problem being addressed and is there a realistic plan to help solve it?
  2. Is the research agenda being continually optimized to help speed the problem solving?
  3. Is dissemination planned via strategic partners, patents, and/or policy initiatives?

Integrating the Motivation of Basic Research with those of Applied Research:

  1. Are these differing motivations integrated in ways that are balanced and synergistic?

Approaches for Basic Research:

  1. Are there well-defined scholarly motivations for the research?
  2. Are appropriate scholarly research methods being brought to bear on the problem?
  3. Are the established procedures of academic due diligence applied to this work?

Approaches for Applied Research:

  1. Is there a clear budget & schedule to drive the research program?
  2. Is there an iterative, stakeholder-based, use-inspired questioning process?
  3. Are the established procedures of creative solution-oriented thinking used regularly?

Integrating the Approaches of Basic Research with those of Applied Research:

  1. As a whole, are these differing approaches well-balanced and synergistic?

Perspectives of Basic Research

  1. Is established basic research talent allocating significant time and energy to this?
  2. Is that basic research expertise well-suited to advancing this project?
  3. Are there opportunities to involve and mentor students?

Perspectives of Applied Research

  1. Is established practice-oriented talent allocating significant time and energy to this?
  2. Is that practical expertise well-suited to advancing this project?
  3. Are there opportunities to involve and mentor junior applied researchers?

Integrating the Perspectives of Basic Research with those of Applied Research

  1. Are these differing perspectives brought together in ways that are beneficial?