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Are more senior academics really more research productive than junior academics? Evidence from Australian law schools

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  • Vinod Mishra

    (Monash University)

  • Russell Smyth

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between academic seniority and research productivity through a study of a sample of academics at Australian law schools. To measure research productivity, we use both publications in top law journals, variously defined, and citation metrics. A feature of the study is that we pay particular attention to addressing the endogeneity of academic rank. To do so, we use a novel identification strategy, proposed by Lewbel (Journal of Business and Economic Statistics 30:67–80, 2012), which utilises a heteroscedastic covariance restriction to construct an internal instrumental variable. Our main finding is that once endogeneity of academic rank is addressed, more senior academics at Australian law schools do not publish more articles in top law journals (irrespective of how top law journals are defined) than their less senior colleagues. However, Professors continue to have greater impact than Lecturers when research productivity is measured in terms of total citations and common citation indices, such as the h-index and g-index.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinod Mishra & Russell Smyth, 2013. "Are more senior academics really more research productive than junior academics? Evidence from Australian law schools," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 96(2), pages 411-425, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:96:y:2013:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-012-0886-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-012-0886-3
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    10. Nguyen, Le Bao Ngoc & Kesavayuth, Dusanee & Rangkakulnuwat, Poomthan, 2022. "Effect of Locus of Control on Job Performance: Evidence from Australian Panel Data," Asian Journal of Applied Economics, Kasetsart University, Center for Applied Economics Research, vol. 29(1).
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    12. Nabil Amara & Réjean Landry & Norrin Halilem, 2015. "What can university administrators do to increase the publication and citation scores of their faculty members?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(2), pages 489-530, May.
    13. Cheng, Zhiming & Smyth, Russell, 2015. "Sex and happiness," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 26-32.
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    15. Dusanee Kesavayuth & Vasileios Zikos, 2018. "Happy People Are Less Likely To Be Unemployed: Psychological Evidence From Panel Data," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 36(2), pages 277-291, April.
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    19. Ahmed, Rifaan & Kesavayuth, Dusanee & Zikos, Vasileios, 2018. "Does being smarter make you happier? Evidence from Europe," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 55-67.

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