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The Academic Freedom Index and Its indicators: Introduction to new global time-series V-Dem data

Author

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  • Janika Spannagel

    (Freie Universität Berlin)

  • Katrin Kinzelbach

    (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)

Abstract

The Academic Freedom Index is the first conceptually thorough assessment of academic freedom worldwide and a times series dataset going back to 1900. While some previous datasets exist, they are geographically limited and methodologically or conceptually insufficient to offer a comprehensive picture of the levels of academic freedom across time and space. This paper introduces the new expert-coded dataset that includes the overall Academic Freedom Index alongside several specific indicators, to which more than 2050 country experts around the world have contributed and which is freely available as part of V-Dem’s time-series data releases. The paper discusses its advantages compared to other types of data on academic freedom, details the conceptualization of the new indicators, and offers a content and convergent validation of the results. The dataset provides ample opportunities for scholars to conduct in-depth research on academic freedom and its infringements, and for policymakers and advocates to monitor and analyze patterns and trends of academic freedom around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Janika Spannagel & Katrin Kinzelbach, 2023. "The Academic Freedom Index and Its indicators: Introduction to new global time-series V-Dem data," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(5), pages 3969-3989, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:57:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s11135-022-01544-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-022-01544-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melton, James & Elkins, Zachary & Ginsburg, Tom & Leetaru, Kalev, 2013. "On the Interpretability of Law: Lessons from the Decoding of National Constitutions," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 399-423, April.
    2. Niclas Berggren & Christian Bjørnskov, 2022. "Political institutions and academic freedom: evidence from across the world," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 190(1), pages 205-228, January.
    3. Hajer Kratou & Liisa Laakso, 2022. "The Impact of Academic Freedom on Democracy in Africa," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(4), pages 809-826, April.
    4. Niclas Berggren & Christian Bjørnskov, 2022. "Academic freedom, institutions, and productivity," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 88(4), pages 1313-1342, April.
    5. Adcock, Robert & Collier, David, 2001. "Measurement Validity: A Shared Standard for Qualitative and Quantitative Research," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 95(3), pages 529-546, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Berggren, Niclas & Bjørnskov, Christian, 2024. "Economic freedom and academic freedom across nations," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20, pages 1-1, January.
    2. Ekaterine Bakaradze, 2023. "Notion of Academic Freedom – Recent Study in Georgian Higher Educational Space," RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2024 0321, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.

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