Bibliometrics & university rankings: Their Impact on Scientific Research Evaluation Process and the disadvantages for Scientific Researchers in Social Sciences & Humanities disciplines

Abstract

In recent years, increasing concerns have been raised regarding the impact of university rankings and bibliometrics indicators in the scientific disciplines of Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH), particularly in relation to their suitability as measures of research assessment. Building on these concerns, this paper, through an extensive literature review and critical analysis, examines how the contemporary institutional framework of higher education—shaped by university rankings and bibliometric measures—affects the so-called ‘research culture’ within SSH. The study also explores the consequences of these practices on the publication process itself, with particular emphasis on the pressures and challenges faced by scientific researchers. Furthermore, it offers an international perspective on current approaches to the evaluation of scientific research.