Direct comparison
DORA vs CoARA — responsible-assessment frameworks
DORA and CoARA are the two most-cited declarations on reforming research assessment. DORA is older (2012), narrower (focus: drop Journal Impact Factor in assessment). CoARA is newer (2022), broader (full coalition + signatory commitments).
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | DORA | CoARA |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Declaration on Research Assessment | Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment |
| Established | 2012 (ASCB annual meeting) | 2022 (Brussels) |
| Origin | US biology community | European Commission–facilitated |
| Format | Declaration with 18 recommendations | Coalition with 10-point agreement on principles + commitments |
| Primary message | Stop using Journal Impact Factor in assessment | Stop using quantitative-only metrics; embrace qualitative + diverse evaluation |
| Signatory base | ~24,000 signatories (individuals + organisations) | ~600 signatory organisations |
| Commitments | Voluntary recommendations | Formal action-plan commitments per signatory |
| Geographic emphasis | Global | European, expanding globally |
| Relationship to narrative CVs | Aligned (drop JIF, use qualitative) | Strong driver of narrative-CV adoption in Europe |
Common questions
FAQ
Are they competitors or complementary?+
Complementary. CoARA references DORA in its founding documents; CoARA expands DORA's focus from "drop JIF" to "embrace diverse + qualitative assessment".
Can my institution sign both?+
Yes — many institutions are DORA signatories AND CoARA members. CoARA requires more formal commitments + action plans.
