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arXiv · 2404.05345

The role of non-scientific factors vis-a-vis the quality of publications in determining their scholarly impact

Giovanni Abramo·Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo·Leonardo Grilli
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Abstract

In the evaluation of scientific publications' impact, the interplay between intrinsic quality and non-scientific factors remains a subject of debate. While peer review traditionally assesses quality, bibliometric techniques gauge scholarly impact. This study investigates the role of non-scientific attributes alongside quality scores from peer review in determining scholarly impact. Leveraging data from the first Italian Research Assessment Exercise (VTR 2001-2003) and Web of Science citations, we analyse the relationship between quality scores, non-scientific factors, and publication short- and long-term impact. Our findings shed light on the significance of non-scientific elements overlooked in peer review, offering policymakers and research management insights in choosing evaluation methodologies. Sections delve into the debate, identify non-scientific influences, detail methodologies, present results, and discuss implications.

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Giovanni Abramo, Ciriaco Andrea D'Angelo, Leonardo Grilli. 2024-04-08. The role of non-scientific factors vis-a-vis the quality of publications in determining their scholarly impact. https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.05345

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