The times higher education world university rankings, 2004-2012

Abstract

In the present essay, I briefly describe the transition from the original Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings, which were developed together with Qua - quarelli Symonds (QS), to the Times Higher Education world rankings powered by Thomson Reuters. In addition, I describe the 'sample' characteristics (i.e. the distribution of respondents by geographic area and scientific discipline) of the Thomson Reuters' annual academic reputational surveys, upon which 2 key indicators for the categories of teaching and research are based, during 2010 to 2012. Finally, I briefly discuss the criticisms raised concerning these 2 ranking systems. © Inter-Research 2014.