Instrument of Improvement or Degradation: Contemporary University Rankings and Their Problems

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the analyses of current situation in the area of theory and methodology of university rankings. The author identifies three main problems in this area. First of all, it is the problem of relation of measurable and non-measurable dimensions of university activities and the relevant limitation of possibility to use ranking as the universal technology of evaluation. Secondly, it is the relations between objective and subjective data in elaboration of relevant indicators. Thirdly, is the problem of necessity of exclusive and authentic methodology for university ranking or possibility to apply universal methodology. The results of main international and Ukrainian university rankings in 2017 are also presented.

The Relationship Between the Scientific Activities in Research Laboratories with Webometrics Ranking of Algerian Universities: An Empirical Investigation

“…It enables them to improve their global ranking and develop their outputs, especially those related to publications, using all available and possible means of communication to create strong competitiveness. Accordingly, the Webometrics ranking for universities came to provide a quantitative analysis of the openness index (the volume and impact of the information) for the university (Kurbatov, 2017), and the visibility index (the number of external links) on the Web for universities (Kunosić, Čeke, & Zerem, 2019), which Björneborn defined as "The study of the quantitative aspects of the construction and use of information resources, structures and technologies on the Web drawing on bibliometric and informetric approaches" (Björneborn, 2004). Accordingly, the Algerian higher education and scientific research system until the end of 2019, according to Scimagojr (The SCImago Journal & Country Rank), ranked 5th in Africa after South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia.…”