Beyond rankings: The role of large research universities in the global scientific communication system

Martijn S. Visser, Clara M. Calero Medina, Henk F. Moed

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary findings of a study that aims to assess the role of large research universities in the global scientific communication system. For this study a special database was created containing the publication output in Web of Science journals of the largest research universities. Its primary aim is to illustrate how a structural analysis of the global academic system may provide policy relevant insights that are crucial for a proper interpretation of bibliometric rankings. It presents two analyses. The first focuses on differences between the US and the European academic system. It is proposed to further analyse and interpret these differences in terms of a distinction between a concentrated and a distributed model of research quality among universities in national or supra-national academic systems. The second analysis is based on a network approach, revealing how the research activities carried out in one university depend upon those conducted in another academic institution. This dependence is measured by citation links. It addresses the question how one can distinguish between 'core', 'intermediate' and 'peripheral' research universities in the network.

Original languageEnglish
Pages761-765
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International Conference of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics, ISSI 2007 - Madrid, Spain
Duration: 25 Jun 200727 Jun 2007

Conference

Conference11th International Conference of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics, ISSI 2007
Country/TerritorySpain
CityMadrid
Period25/06/0727/06/07

Keywords

  • Citation impact
  • Citation networks
  • Concentrated vs. distributed models
  • National academic systems
  • Rankings
  • World universities

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