Transformaciones y desafíos en la evaluación de la investigación universitaria en España: una mirada crítica a la evolución de los Sexenios

Abstract

Six-year periods of research in Spain have evolved since their inception in 1989, when they were originally introduced as a financial supplement for professors, associate professors and tenured lecturers to encourage the production of prestigious scientific research in Spain. Over time, these research periods have grown in importance and have become a crucial element in academic careers, influencing both scientific output and academic practices. Over the years, there has been an increase in the rigour of the evaluation criteria and a focus on results. There has also been criticism of the emergence of an ‘indicator culture’ in which the achievement of research periods becomes an end in and of itself, leading to questionable practices and an imbalance between research and teaching. The inclusion of Spanish journals in international databases has increased the visibility of Spanish research and compliance with the criteria for obtaining these periods, although not necessarily the quality of the research. In 2023, a proposal was made to revise the evaluation criteria to focus more on the document level (rather than the publication medium), with the additional aim of promoting open science practices and fostering evaluation with more room for qualitative aspects.