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Mapping Excellence in National Research Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Abramo

    (Italian Research Council University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Flavia Di Costa

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

The study of “scientific excellence†is taking on increasing importance in the development of research policies in many nations. However, scientific excellence is difficult to define because of its multidimensional and highly complex character. This work contributes to the state of the art by exploring an effective, simple, and inexpensive bibliometric methodology that further identifies “excellent†centers of research by beginning with the individual researchers affiliated with such centers. The study concentrates on public research organizations in Italy, analyzing 109 scientific categories of research in the “hard†sciences and 157 centers of excellence operating in 60 of these categories. Findings from this first application of the methodology should be considered exploratory and indicative. With a longer period of observation and the addition of further measurements, this methodology could be extended and adapted to a variety of national and supranational contexts, aiding policy decisions at various levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Abramo & Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo & Flavia Di Costa, 2009. "Mapping Excellence in National Research Systems," Evaluation Review, , vol. 33(2), pages 159-188, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:33:y:2009:i:2:p:159-188
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X08322871
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thed N. Van Leeuwen & Martijn S. Visser & Henk F. Moed & Ton J. Nederhof & Anthony F. J. Van Raan, 2003. "The Holy Grail of science policy: Exploring and combining bibliometric tools in search of scientific excellence," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 57(2), pages 257-280, June.
    2. Robert J W Tijssen, 2003. "Scoreboards of research excellence," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 91-103, August.
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    4. James Adams & Zvi Griliches, 1996. "Measuring Science: An Exploration," Harvard Institute of Economic Research Working Papers 1749, Harvard - Institute of Economic Research.
    5. Henk F. Moed, 2002. "The impact-factors debate: the ISI's uses and limits," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6873), pages 731-732, February.
    6. Thed N. van Leeuwen & Henk F. Moed, 2002. "Development and application of journal impact measures in the Dutch science system," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 53(2), pages 249-266, February.
    7. Anthony F. J. van Raan, 2005. "Fatal attraction: Conceptual and methodological problems in the ranking of universities by bibliometric methods," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 62(1), pages 133-143, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi-Ching Liaw & Te-Yi Chan & Chin-Yuan Fan & Cheng-Hsin Chiang, 2014. "Can the technological impact of academic journals be evaluated? The practice of non-patent reference (NPR) analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 101(1), pages 17-37, October.

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