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The consultation document on the Research Assessment Exercise for 2008 was released yesterday. The quality levels for outputs were published some time ago: 4* Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. 3* Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance but which nontheless falls short of the highest standards of excellence. 2* Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. 1* Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Unclassified. What is new is the statement in the Research Outputs section that is of great significance for the future funding of practitioner research: "The sub-panel welcomes the submission of all forms of research output and will treat them equally. The panel expects to receive outputs in the following forms: articles in journals and e-journals; books; chapters in books; published conference papers; research reviews, electronic and on-line publications; government reports. technical and other reports. Institutions may also wish to submit other forms of output where these meet the definition of research set out in the funding bodies 'Guidance on Submissions'. Where there is likely to be any doubt ( for example in the production of articles in professional outlets, teaching materials, DVDs/videos, software and software-related products), the sub-panel will, in all cases, have regard to the research quality and not to the type of output. In accordance with the terms of RAE 2008 as stated in para 53 of RAE -2/2004 'Guidance to panels', the sub-panel emphasises that it will be making judgements on research outputs and will not rate of score individual researchers." Love Jack.