Research quality evaluation: The case of legal studies

Among SSH, legal studies create difficult challenges for the evaluation process. Legal scholarship is based on systematic analysis of legislation and jurisprudence, using a hermeneutic and logical approach that usually leads to a variety of formulations. Consequently the practices of citation have a different epistemic meaning than in STEM disciplines. Over time differences in interpretation consolidate in schools and research traditions. In light of the international literature on research assessment in Law, the chapter examines the main issues at stake. While bibliometrics are usually rejected, a number of criteria used in peer review are recommended.