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Citation metrics as an additional indicator for evaluating research performance? An analysis of their correlations and validity

Author

Listed:
  • Marcel Clermont

    (Technische Universität Braunschweig)

  • Alexander Dirksen

    (Sparkassenverband, Westfalen-Lippe)

  • Barbara Scheidt

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Central Library, Bibliometrics Team)

  • Dirk Tunger

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Central Library, Bibliometrics Team)

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential expansion of an indicator set for research performance evaluation to include citations for the mapping of research impact. To this end, we use research performance data of German business schools and consider the linear correlations and the rank correlations between publication-based, supportive, and citation-based indicators. Furthermore, we compare the business schools in partial ratings of the relative indicators amongst themselves and with those business schools that are classified in other studies as being strong in research and/or reputable. Only low correlations are found between the citation metrics and the other indicator types. Since citations map research outcome, this is an expected result in terms of divergent validity. Amongst themselves, the citation metrics display high correlations, which, in accordance with the convergent validity, shows that they can represent research outcome. However, this does not apply to the J-factor, which is a journal-based normalizing citation metric.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel Clermont & Alexander Dirksen & Barbara Scheidt & Dirk Tunger, 2017. "Citation metrics as an additional indicator for evaluating research performance? An analysis of their correlations and validity," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 10(2), pages 249-279, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:busres:v:10:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s40685-017-0044-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40685-017-0044-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Marcel Clermont & Johanna Krolak & Dirk Tunger, 2021. "Does the citation period have any effect on the informative value of selected citation indicators in research evaluations?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(2), pages 1019-1047, February.
    2. Heinz Ahn & Marcel Clermont & Julia Langner, 2022. "The impact of selected input and output factors on measuring research efficiency of university research fields: insights from a purpose-, field-, and method-specific perspective," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(8), pages 1303-1335, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Citation metrics; German business schools; Research performance evaluation; Research ranking; Validity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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