Visser, MS et al Beyond rankings: The role of large research universities in the global scientific communication system

[Eugene Garfield]

Email address: visser at cwts.leidenuniv.nl

Author(s): Visser, MS (Visser, Martijn S.); Medina, CMC (Medina, Clara M. 
Calero); Moed, HF (Moed, Henk F.) 

Title: Beyond rankings: The role of large research universities in the 
global scientific communication system
 
Editor(s): TorresSalinas, D; Moed, HF 

Source: PROCEEDINGS OF ISSI 2007: 11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR SCIENTOMETRICS AND INFORMETRICS, VOLS I AND II 
761-765, 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Conference Title: 11th International Conference of the International-
Society-for-Scientrometrics-and-Informetrics
 
Conference Date: JUN 25-27, 2007 

Conference Location: Madrid, SPAIN 

Conference Sponsors: Int Soc Scientrometr & Informetr, CSIC, Minist Educ & 
Ciencia, FECYT, Comunidad Madrid, Eugene Garfield Fdn, Thomson Sci, 
Elsevier, Journal Informetr, Scopus, Ayuntamiento Madrid, Sci Metrix, Univ 
Carlos III Madrid 

Author Keywords: rankings; world universities; citation impact; citation 
networks; concentrated vs. distributed models; national academic systems 

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. 
Addresses: Leiden Univ, Ctr Sci & Technol Studies, CWTS, Leiden, NL-2300 
RB Netherlands. 

Publisher Name: INT SOC SCIENTOMETRICS & INFORMETRICS-ISSI 
Publisher Address: KATHOLIEKE UNIV LEUVEN, FACULTEIT E T E W, DEKENSTRAAT 
2, LEUVEN, B-3000, BELGIUM 

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