Public Statement by Berdyansk State Pedagogical University in Support of DORA and Responsible Research Assessment

Berdyansk State Pedagogical University (BSPU) officially affirms its support for the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the principles of responsible and fair evaluation of research performance.

We share DORA’s core idea: the quality of research should be assessed based on its content, significance, and impact, rather than the name or impact factor of the journal in which it is published. Overreliance on quantitative metrics such as the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) or the h-index fails to capture the full value and real contribution of research to science, education, and society.

Our support for DORA aligns with the institutional policy on open science, as defined in the following university documents:

The university commits to the following:

  • Evaluating research results based on their substance, openness, impact, and integrity, rather than on journal-based metrics.
  • Recognizing diverse forms of scholarly contribution, including open data, repository publications, educational resources, and outputs from interdisciplinary, applied, or citizen science research.
  • Creating the conditions for open and transparent research assessment, based on clear and understandable criteria that can be consistently applied across all evaluation procedures.
  • Supporting the development of a responsible research culture that values quality, relevance, and societal benefit.

We also strive to share our experience with other universities and the global academic community, contributing to the development of a research ecosystem that is more open, ethical, and responsive to the needs of society.

Date of publication: 08.04.2025
Contact person: Vice-Rector for Research Yana Sychikova