Determinants of research quality in Italian universities: Evidence from the 2004 to 2010 evaluation exercise

The aim of this paper is that of providing a in-depth analysis of the results of the Italian Research Evaluation Exercise (VQR), specifically looking at possible existing correlations among scientific quality and a number of product- and researcher-specific variables. Ratings are found to crucially depend on language and typology of publication and on the methodology adopted for evaluation; younger researchers and Full Professors are also receiving, ceteris paribus, a better evaluation. Outcomes submitted by researchers working in the Centre-North of the country usually obtain better evaluations than those in the South. Public funding to University research is finally found to be correlated with positive ranking in the assessment exercise, especially in natural sciences and engineering, where there is particular need of appropriate funding for conducing laboratories experiments and research.