Scientific evaluation models in Latin America and the criteria for assessing researchers

Abstract

This article analyzes the importance of scientific evaluation in Latin America, by identifying the institutions regulating it in each country, reviewing their strategic objectives for recognizing researchers and analyzing the use of diverse evaluation criteria. From a documentary analysis of the models for evaluating researchers in 19 countries, we unified the activities and products that are considered in these countries and we developed a general model for evaluating researchers, which consists of six dimensions and 39 criteria that allow characterizing the ways in which researchers’ activities are evaluated in the region. Finally, we compared the model’s criteria with data from bibliometric, economic and educational indicators.