Phelan TJ "Bibliometrics and the evaluation of Australian sociology" Journal of Sociology 36(3):345-363 November 2000

[Eugene Garfield]

Thomas J. Phelan : phelan at ucla.edu

TITLE    Bibliometrics and the evaluation of Australian sociology
AUTHOR   Phelan TJ
JOURNAL  JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY 36 (3): 345-363 NOV 2000

 Document type: Article
 Language: English
 Cited References: 36
Times Cited: 1


Abstract:
The Australian government has expressed a continuing interest in the
assessment of research productivity as a basic element of a 'rationalised'
research funding process. Bibliometric analyses are among the techniques
that the government uses to evaluate the quality of research performance.
Like many other disciplines, sociology is a target of these assessments.
This paper presents data to demonstrate how Australian sociology might
measure up if subjected to an inquiry using these methods. Data
are provided on the standing of Australian sociology internationally and on
the research contributions of major Australian universities. Several
important methodological issues are reviewed and discussed. It is concluded
that Australian sociologists would be well served by becoming active
participants in the ongoing national debate over the assessment of research
performance and the allocation of funding for tertiary education and
science.

KeyWords Plus:
STANDS TODAY, PRODUCTIVITY, SCIENCE, DEPARTMENTS, JOURNALS, NATIONS, ISSUES,
RATES

Addresses:
Phelan TJ, Australian Natl Univ, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Australian Natl Univ, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Univ Calif Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USA

Publisher:
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, LONDON

IDS Number:
475WY

ISSN:
0004-8690

TITLE      Bibliometrics and the evaluation of Australian sociology
AUTHOR     Phelan TJ
JOURNAL    JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY 36 (3): 345-363 NOV 2000

 Document type: Article
Language: English
Cited References: 36
Times Cited: 1


Abstract:
The Australian government has expressed a continuing interest in the
assessment of research productivity as a basic element of a 'rationalised'
research funding process. Bibliometric analyses are among the techniques
that the government uses to evaluate the quality of research performance.
Like many other disciplines, sociology is a target of these assessments.
This paper presents data to demonstrate how Australian sociology might
measure up if subjected to an inquiry using these methods. Data
are provided on the standing of Australian sociology internationally and on
the research contributions of major Australian universities. Several
important methodological issues are reviewed and discussed. It is concluded
that Australian sociologists would be well served by becoming active
participants in the ongoing national debate over the assessment of research
performance and the allocation of funding for tertiary education and
science.

KeyWords Plus:
STANDS TODAY, PRODUCTIVITY, SCIENCE, DEPARTMENTS, JOURNALS, NATIONS, ISSUES,
RATES

Addresses:
Phelan TJ, Australian Natl Univ, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Australian Natl Univ, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Univ Calif Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USA

Publisher:
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, LONDON

IDS Number:
475WY

ISSN:
0004-8690