Science Citation Index (SCI) and scientific evaluation system in China

Abstract

In February 2020, China’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and Technology issued an official Opinion discouraging the use of the Science Citation Index (SCI) as a framework for the assessment of research performance. There is a need to assess the origin of the new policy, and how it will reshape cultures and practices of scientific knowledge production in China. We suggest that while concerns over the quality of research and conduct of scientists are at play, a deeper reason underlying the government’s adoption of a more cautious stance towards SCI is wider social controversy around what system of research assessment is best suited to social development and wellbeing in China. However, failing to continue to engage in international publication and collaboration would be self-defeating for China. We propose three recommendations for reforming scientific evaluation in China: diversity of criteria, autonomy of scientific evaluation, and quality of peer-review.