Implementation of CoARA principles in CNR Research Director competitions: in-depth document analysis of evaluation grids and detailed mapping of operational features

This paper provides an extended and detailed documentary analysis of the implementation of the principles set forth by the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) within the competitive selection procedures of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) for the top-level position of Research Director (Level I) for a total of 180 positions, subsequently increased to 261. The winning candidates are appointed as Research Director (Level I) with legal and economic effect retroactively set to January 1, 2023. By rigorously examining the regulatory framework of the call, minutes, guidelines, and evaluation sheets adopted by the examining boards across different scientific sectors, this study analyzes the procedural sequence for evaluating the Curriculum (Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4) and the assignment of corresponding scores. Based strictly on documentary evidence and devoid of speculation, the paper identifies and maps out a broad series of methodological and implementation variances: from differences in scoring weight allocated to: differences in the weighting of managerial functions and strategic leadership, variability of criteria across selection sectors, specific features of narrative-descriptive evaluations (Annex B – Professional Curriculum and Annex C – Form for Selected Products and Titles), and distinct approaches to technological products and co-authorship