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The Social Science Citation Index: A Black Box—with an Ideological Bias?

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Author Info
Daniel B. Klein () (Santa Clara University)
Eric Chiang

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Abstract

In figuring eminence in the social sciences, the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) is of great importance. Yet the SSCI selection process is a black box. Scrutiny of the SSCI journal list reveals that the stated SSCI journal selection criteria are vague and applied inconsistently. The Nation, The New Republic, and many other periodicals that fail to meet most conditions said to be a criterion for inclusion are nonetheless included in the SSCI. I investigate whether the process and resultant list are, not merely inconsistent, but ideologically biased. Although it is impossible to determine with great confidence whether there is an ideological bias, I present a variety of evidence of bias in favor of journals of a social democratic orientation and against journals of a classical liberal orientation.

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Publisher Info
Article provided by Atlas Economic Research Foundation in its journal Econ Journal Watch.

Volume (Year): 1 (2004)
Issue (Month): 1 (April)
Pages: 134-165
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Handle: RePEc:ejw:volone:134-165

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Related research
Keywords: Social Science Citation Index; citation count; bias; ideological orientation;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Robert Whaples, 2006. "The Costs of Critical Commentary in Economics Journals," Econ Journal Watch, Atlas Economic Research Foundation, vol. 3(2), pages 275-282, May. [Downloadable!]
  2. Prufer, J. & Zetland, D., 2007. "An Auction Market for Journal Articles," Discussion Paper 2007-027, Tilburg University, Tilburg Law and Economic Center. [Downloadable!]
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This page was last updated on 2009-12-16.


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