Times Higher Education (THE), a London-based weekly newspaper that publishes the annual World University Rankings, has dropped its long-time research partner QS and instead will use research data specialist Thomson Reuters for rankings data, according to a recent report in University World News (UWN).
THE drew significant criticism for the methodology it employed during its six-year collaboration with QS. Because the methodology called for factoring in the results of reputational surveys of academics and leading employers, opponents argue that it perpetuated out-of-date perceptions of universities. Also problematic was the fact that QS, in addition to its research function, offered consultancy services to participating universities to help them improve their position in the rankings, UWN reports.
QS, which is headed by Wharton MBA graduate Nunzio Quacquarelli, has run into trouble before, UWN reports. In February 2007, the associate dean at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School described the research methods used by QS to compile an MBA ranking in Fortune Magazine as “shoddy, inaccurate and inappropriate.” Fortune was forced to remove the rankings from its website, according to UWN.
Quacquarelli shrugged off being dropped by Times Higher Education. “The partnership with THE may be at an end but QS will continue its commitment to providing rankings for a growing number of geographical and disciplinary contexts,” he told UWN.
Thomson Reuters, THE’s new research partner, is planning a range of improvements for the new World University Rankings, according to Jonathan Adams, director of research evaluation for the research data specialist firm. Though the rankings will continue to use reputational data, THE and Thomson Reuters will work closely with the academic community to reduce the “reputational hangover” effect, Adams said.
The 2010 World University Rankings will look different and include more information about the methodology, Adams told UWN. He expects even more changes, improvements and refinements in coming years, he added. “We are aiming for something that people will be able to pick up and say ‘Yes, that makes a lot of sense – this probably agrees with what I see of the landscape around me,’” he told UWN.
The revamped World University Rankings will still rank the top 200 universities worldwide, with separate rankings by subject area.
To read the UWN report, click here.
Read the full article: UK’s Times Higher Education Drops Rankings Research Partner QS