Dear All,
This week's topic is indicators, metrics, ranking and rating. These are some of the most common ways of using research in practice - research is required to produce the metrics, and research is needed to validate them. Our question is how digital research can contribute to the creation of metrics and indicators, and new ranking tools, and the social and methodological issues that shape their development and acceptance.
We will be using the case of metrics, indicators and ranking in Science and Scholarly research as a well documented example of the adoption and evolution of practice. Please read the two Harzing Articles - the first on the challenges of using metrics in the management of Science, and the second on the rise of Google Scholar as an alternative to established ranking systems.
For the Collaborate session on WEDNESDAY, and in the online reflective discussion, please prepare yourself with examples to talk about
1. Digital metrics and ranking systems in common use
2. The use of indicators in your field of experience.
3. The indicators used in Scottish public policy
I have provided various readings about indicators and ranking in practice - from the critical Economist article on indicators in international public policy, to to adoption of social media indicators in the arts business.
I will record the lecture on Evidence and Research today.
Please let us know how you are getting on installing COSMOS (I am having problems).
regards
James