Sensitivity and elasticity of Spanish universities to the Shanghai Ranking indicators (ARWU)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/redc.2023.1.1947

Keywords:

sensitivity and elasticity to ARWU indicators, Shanghai ranking, university rankings, cluster of Spanish universities

Abstract


The Shanghai ranking (ARWU) is one of the best known and most influential, good proof is its presence in traditional and digital media when it is published every year. Due to its characteristics, it is one of the most used and referenced in university management. This work analyzes the sensitivity and elasticity of the indicators that comprise it, distinguishing between indicators of a personal and institutional nature. The analysis focuses on the Spanish universities among the thousand collected in 2021, showing those that are more and less sensitive and elastic to the different indicators, both in position and in score. In addition, five homogeneous groups of universities are identified based on their elasticity. This shows the great heterogeneity of the changes due to the elimination of each indicator and type of university. This is useful for benchmarking between universities and identifying improvement actions to manage presence in the ranking.

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Published

2023-02-08

How to Cite

Luque-Martínez, T. (2023). Sensitivity and elasticity of Spanish universities to the Shanghai Ranking indicators (ARWU). Revista Española De Documentación Científica, 46(1), e350. https://doi.org/10.3989/redc.2023.1.1947

Issue

Section

Studies