Evaluation of Research Policy as a Moderation Process

Generally speaking, evaluation procedures measure the scientific and technological quality or the socio-economic impact of publicly funded research. But why couldn't evaluation prodedures also be used to "moderate" struggles, controversies and negotiations in the science and technology policy arena? This paper addresses this question, utilising the German evaluation method which is characterised by a relatively high degree of institutional differentiation and autonomy of the major policy actors. After some theoretical considerations a case study is presented illustrating the "moderation approach", i.e., a multi-annual monitoring evaluation of eight newly created publicly funded interdisciplinary clinical research centres at German hospitals.