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Measuring changes in publication patterns in a context of performance-based research funding systems: the case of educational research in the University of Gothenburg (2005–2014)

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Sīle

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Raf Vanderstraeten

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

We present a novel way to frame a discussion of changes in publication patterns that occur in a context of performance-based research funding systems (PRFSs). Adopting an approach derived from social epistemology, we foreground the dialectical nature of knowledge. This allows us to relate changes in publication patterns to PRFS and show the tensions that emerge between relatively diverse research fields with diverse publication practices and bibliometric indicators within PRFSs that reinforce a singular view of research goals. Specifically, we highlight that the employment of bibliometric indicators result in a fixed hierarchy among communication media that may be at odds with the goals within research fields subjected to PRFSs. These ideas are illustrated with an empirical analysis of changes in publication patterns within the field of educational research at the University of Gothenburg (GU; 2005–2014) in Sweden. We contrast the observed changes with implicit priorities in the national and institutional PRFS that operate in this context since 2009. Findings from bibliometric analysis indicate a move away from publication traditions that used to be characteristic of educational research: the growth in the number of journal articles is greater than that in the number of book chapters, while the number of reports is on a declining slope. In relation to PRFSs, we show that conclusive judgement on the desirability of the observed changes is hardly achievable. If one adopts the aims implicit in PRFS, research performance appears to be enhanced. If one sides with the views of many educational researchers, then some of the trends might be an indication of undesirable changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Sīle & Raf Vanderstraeten, 2019. "Measuring changes in publication patterns in a context of performance-based research funding systems: the case of educational research in the University of Gothenburg (2005–2014)," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 118(1), pages 71-91, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:118:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-018-2963-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2963-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Raf Vanderstraeten & Frédéric Vandermoere, 2021. "Inequalities in the growth of Web of Science," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(10), pages 8635-8651, October.
    3. Renata Kudaibergenova & Sandugash Uzakbay & Asselya Makanova & Kymbat Ramadinkyzy & Erlan Kistaubayev & Ruslan Dussekeev & Kadyrzhan Smagulov, 2022. "Managing publication change at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: a case study," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(1), pages 453-479, January.
    4. Gerhard Reichmann & Christian Schlögl, 2022. "On the possibilities of presenting the research performance of an institute over a long period of time: the case of the Institute of Information Science at the University of Graz in Austria," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(6), pages 3193-3223, June.
    5. Saarela, Mirka & Kärkkäinen, Tommi, 2020. "Can we automate expert-based journal rankings? Analysis of the Finnish publication indicator," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2).
    6. Mehdi Rhaiem & Nabil Amara, 2020. "Determinants of research efficiency in Canadian business schools: evidence from scholar-level data," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(1), pages 53-99, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Publication patterns; Bibliometric indicators; Research performance; Educational research; Sweden; Social epistemology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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