Research quality
Research requires talent, resources, a good understanding of what exists, and guidance on what to do next. HEI research needs to be well-structured into research groups that have a clear direction and management. Each group needs a well-knit, driven and talented set of people to pursue focussed research agenda for which they have time, resources, encouragement, management support, expert guidance and passion. This is often challenging in HEIs where individuals struggle to get time for research, have limited research funding, and may not be in a research group with enough resources or knowledge. We work with the top management to align HEI research agenda and support their HR planning to enhance their research performance.
Our services
- Strategic consultation for top level management on clarifying research objectives for the HEI
- An audit of existing research practices with recommendations for improvements
- Recommendations on research group restructuring, industry interfacing and support provision to improve their quality of research, publications and grant income
- Linking HEI research group with industry, renowned experts and academic institutions working in the same area
- Helping HEI develop a sustainable research eco-system
Our approach
We help institutions evaluate the quality of their research against their target level and identify areas for change. We do not prescribe what research departments conduct. Our recommendations align core areas of research interest of staff against top management expectations and plans, structure cohesive research groups within departments or as centres of excellence, and help align HEI resources and HR recruitment against restructured research goals.
Issues you may be facing
If you have noticed one or more of the following issues, it is timely to seek external expertise that can evaluate and recommend improvements in the area of quality, quantity and management of research.
- Lack of quality research publications in highly rated journals
- Lack of staff with high H-index publications
- Lack of formal research groups
- Lack of standard operating procedures for managing research groups
- Lack of key performance indicators, or poor implementation of these for rating research output and grading staff quality
- Lack of industrial collaboration in research
- Lack of PhD and Post-doc scholars
- PhDs taking too long to complete
- Lack of equipment and support structures for research