THE 1996 RESEARCH ASSESSMENT EXERCISE AND THE RESPONSE OF SOCIAL-WORKACADEMIC

In 1996 the Higher Education Funding Council undertook the fourth Rese arch Assessment Exercise (RAE) in universities in England, Wales, Scot land and Northern Ireland. Performance in research is a crucial measur e in university departments because it has direct implications for fun ding, but some doubt that the criteria used are appropriate measures o f quality of research. Many factors have an impact on the way that res earch by social work academics is presented in the RAE. After the 1996 RAE, the Joint University Council Social Work Education Committee und ertook a survey of departments which teach social work to try and elic it responses to the assessment exercise which might inform preparation s for the next RAE.