The term 'responsible metrics' was coined by the Metric Tide review (Wilsdon et al., 2015) and operationalised through the Forum for Responsible Research Metrics in the UK. The five principles are: robustness (use the best possible data in terms of accuracy and scope); humility (recognise that quantitative evaluation should support, not supplant, qualitative expert assessment); transparency (keep data collection and analytical processes open and simple); diversity (account for variation by field and use a range of indicators); reflexivity (recognise and anticipate the systemic and potential effects of indicators and update them in response). The framework is now embedded in CoARA, the R4RI, and many institutional and funder policies.
References
- Wilsdon et al. 'The Metric Tide', HEFCE, 2015. Forum for Responsible Research Metrics (frrm.ac.uk).