RESEARCH EVALUATION; 2008; 17(1):71 - 81

Important factors when interpreting bibliometric rankings of world universities: an example from oncology

Authors: Calero-Medina C, Lopez-Illescas C, Visser MS, Moed HF
Affiliations: Leiden Univ, Univ Granada

Abstract:
This paper presents bibliometric characteristics of the 386 most frequently publishing world universities and of a (partly overlapping) set of 529 European universities. Rather than presenting a ranking itself, it presents a statistical analysis of ranking data, focusing on more general patterns. It compares US universities with European institutions; countries with a strong concentration of academic research activities among universities with nations showing a more even distribution; a ranking of universities based on indicators calculated for all research fields combined with one compiled for a single field (oncology); general with specialised universities; and rankings based on a single indicator with maps combining social network analysis and a series of indicators. It highlights important factors that should be taken into account in the interpretation of rankings of research universities based on bibliometric indicators. Moreover, it illustrates policy-relevant research questions that may be addressed in secondary analyses of ranking data. In this way, this paper aims at contributing to a public information system on research universities.

Publication type:
Article in Journal

  
Authors (2)
  
MSc Clara Calero Medina
Centre for Science and Technology Studies
Researcher. MSc in economics from Carlos III University, Madrid. From November 2002 at CWTS. Her work concerns mapping and research assesment projects. Next to her CWTS work she is finishing  her Ph.D. under the supervision of  Professor A.F.J. van Raan. Her Thesis is about citations and ...
MSc M. (Martijn) Visser
Researcher. Completing degree in history, Leiden. Currently involved in many research performance projects. From March 1996 at CWTS.