In the doctoral thesis the examination of the expert evaluation (peer review) systems is based on two aspects: an administrative one aimed at simplifying procedures and a substantive one aimed at maximizing the objectivity of the evaluation. The views of the three main actors involved are important: researchers (applicants), expert evaluators (peer reviewers) and administrators (professional assistants) leading the evaluation procedures. From the scientific literature the starting points that are important for understanding the operations of expert evaluation systems in science are summarized. The essential importance of scientific research is the creation of knowledge. It is decisively influenced by the existence of the scientific community, which is connected by the information process of scientific information and communication. The mechanism of expert (peer) evaluation is a historically grounded way of quality assurance in science, by which the scientific community ensures the autonomy and credibility of scientific findings. In addition to expertise, the human factor is also a decisive factor, so professional and personal ethical norms are of paramount importance. The performed empirical method is based on the experience on the basis of which certain phenomena in the operation of expert evaluation systems were identified and explained. The research was carried out as part of a national research grant system, as a combination of several research methods. An analysis of the regulation, a study of the test implementation of a special software tool for finding expert evaluators in tenders for research funding, an analysis of applications and an experiment in the use of this tool for those who are not experts in particular scientific fields were made. Through surveys and targeted interviews, the opinions of all three main actors in the expert evaluation systems were gathered. The results of the research provide guidelines for the design and assessment of expert evaluation systems in science and application possibilities for their rationalization and updating.
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