simple model of peer review.

Based on our analysis, we conclude that for some fields, the agreement between metrics and peer review is similar to the internal agreement of peer review. This is the case for three fields in particular: Clinical Medicine, Physics, and Public Health, Health Services & Primary Care. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the REF 2021 that is currently in preparation.

UK Research Excellence Framework
================================

The UK REF has three objectives:

> 1.  To provide accountability for public investment in research and produce evidence of the benefits of this investment.
>
> 2.  To provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks, for use within the \[Higher Education\] sector and for public information.
>
> 3.  To inform the selective allocation of funding for research.
>
> [From <http://www.ref.ac.uk/about/whatref/> for REF 2021.[^1]]{}

In addition, three further roles that the REF fulfills were identified:

> 4.  To provide a rich evidence base to inform strategic decisions about national research priorities.
>
> 5.  To create a strong performance incentive for HEIs and individual researchers.
>
> 6.  To inform decisions on resource allocation by individual HEIs and other bodies.
>
> [From <https://www.ref.ac.uk/media/1050/ref2017_01.pdf>]{}

To 