University of Sunderland

Electronic Research Administration (ERA) is a growing area and purchasing / development decisions are often predicated purely on efficiency.  This survey aims to find out whether or not the use of ERA systems can actually have a positive effect on the quality and/or quantity of research.

A UK wide survey of over 400 research managers and administrators in early 2010 concluded that they did believe that in certain areas ERA systems can indeed have a positive effect on quality and quantity.  However that survey did not include academic staff and so a new more optimised survey was developed.

The aim of the survey was two-fold.  Firstly to determine whether or not an audience of academic and administrative staff believe that ERA systems do affect quality and quantity of research administration; and secondly to see if there is a difference between the perceptions of sub-groups of the respondents.

Please follow the links below to see a copy of the survey including brief summary and reports generated.

ARMA Survey including feedback (completed by research managers and administrators only)

UK HEI Survey including feedback

It is intended that the results will be disseminated through the ARMA (Association of Research Managers and Administrators) network, so that Research Managers and Administrators can focus their efforts on areas that actually have a positive impact on the research that is undertaken.