" RAE panels have agreed that 'super-books' will count as two items ", Times Higher, July 29 From: The Office of the Comptometer-General, Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Subject: Counting research items.
There is some concern about what should count as an "item" in the 2008 research assessment exercise. To clarify the situation, I have listed a number of examples of the manner in which subject panels might translate research work into "items".
Books
a. Super-books
Must weigh at least 1kg and contain a minimum of 500 pages. Super-books should cost more than £75 and be unavailable at most good bookshops: count as two items .
b. Standard academic books
No set length or weight but must include two ideas that an average person couldn't think up over a pint: count as one item .
c. Introductory texts
Must contain an opening chapter called "Getting started": count as half an item .
Articles
Article in high status refereed journal: one item .
Article in low status refereed journal: half an item .
Lots of articles in non-refereed journals: no items at all .
Slim volume of verse: 8th of an item .
Set of six aphorisms: 12th of an item .
Well-reviewed novel: forget it .
Specialist research publications
a. Music
Whole symphony (four movements): two items .
Opera (three-acts): two items .
Concertos, quartets, sonatas, oratorios: one item each .
Songs and lieders (three-quarters of an hour's worth): half an item .
b. Art
Big oil triptych: two items .
Big oil single painting (with frame): one item .
Medium to large watercolour: half an item .
Drawing and lithographs (set of six): quarter of an item .
I hope this clarifies the situation.
The Comptometer-General