Critical Treatise on University Ranking Systems

Abstract

Ranking systems use different methodologies, indicators, and data sources primarily focused on research quality and their results are important for stakeholders to compare universities on global level. Ranking also improves university global image, recruitment, and funding. Despite their importance rankings have flaws and pitfalls that cause controversy and concern. Detailed study of ranking literature indicated that research data shared by universities is a matter of concern in relation to credibility and authenticity. It also indicated that subjective ranking tools can produce erroneous results making them less useful for stakeholders. Some methodologies are also inherent flaws that produce different ranks for the same institution in different rankings. Due to lack of clear differences between universities it is recommended that stakeholders should consider detailed score tables rather than general ranking lists. Stakeholders should also acknowledge university disciplinary focus and education aspects that are not covered by rankings. This treatise is designed to give insight into rankings for academics and stakeholders with the aim of elucidating ranking importance, methodology, and indicators. It also gives comprehensive perspective of influential rankings and general analysis of ranking controversy, concerns, flaws, and pitfalls.

The rank boost by inconsistency in university rankings: Evidence from 14 rankings of Chinese universities

“…The rank of a university is playing an increasingly important role not only in the choices by parents and students seeking for education but also in the decisions by funding agencies and policymakers who control where financial support will go (Hazelkorn, 2015;Zhang, Hua, & Shao, 2011). There is also evidence reported on the relationship between the rank of a university and the employment of its students (Bastedo & Bowman, 2011;Sayed, 2019). All of these provide an excellent opportunity for the development of university rankings.…”

Development of Objective Ranking System for Tertiary Institutions in Developing Nations

“…Albeit, there is a well-known competition amongst the universities in the world today especially in area of which one is better than the other. One approach to this competition is ranking, which makes it possible to compare many universities based on certain criteria [3][4][5]. The advent of computer and advancement of information technology have been major vehicles in the ranking of universities because many of the information needed for ranking are now available online.…”

“…Ranking could also serve as a guide for prospective students and also helps a university to identify her area of weaknesses and make efforts towards solving them [6]. Ranking can help funders and stakeholders to identify where to put their funds towards improving university education, research and innovations [4].…”

“…Unfortunately, many universities in the developing countries are not visible online [16]. Even where some universities have websites, such websites do not have most of the information required by the global ranking systems [4].…”

“…Additionally, many universities in the developing nations do not have a good record keeping system or policy on data access. These problems make it very difficult to rank the universities in the developing nations using the criteria established for developed nations [4]. The aim of this research was hence, to develop an objective ranking system that will account for the peculiarities of developing nations.…”