Making scientometric and econometric sense out of NIRF 2017 data

Abstract

We perform a comparative end-to-end research evaluation of leading engineering institutions in India separating out the bibliometric part of the chain from the econometric part. This combines size-dependent and size-independent terms based on quantity and quality (impact) in a meaningful way. Output or outcome at the bibliometric level is measured using a second- order composite indicator, and the productivity or efficiency terms follow accordingly using the input to output or outcome factors. Data are taken from the recent release of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2017 in the public domain. Thus, the ranking based on NIRF scores of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras as the best engineering institution in India is too simplistic a conclusion.