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International College Ranking Systems: A Methodological Review. Final Report

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Title: International College Ranking Systems: A Methodological Review. Final Report
Language: English
Authors: Soubhik Barari, Ji Eun Park, Susan Paddock, NORC at the University of Chicago
Source: NORC at the University of Chicago. 2025.
Availability: NORC at the University of Chicago. 55 East Monrow Street, 30th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603. Tel: 312-759-4000; Web site: https://www.norc.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 38
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Vanderbilt University
Document Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Reputation, Institutional Evaluation, Colleges, Research Methodology, Construct Validity, Evaluation Methods, Surveys, Bibliometrics, Standards, Cultural Differences, Foreign Countries, Institutional Characteristics, Educational Quality
Abstract: Rankings of international higher education institutions have become influential, newsworthy metrics worldwide. This is unsurprising given the rising prevalence of cross-national college attendance. This report evaluates the methodologies of three major international ranking systems: the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, or "Shanghai Rankings"), the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), and the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS). This report serves as an addendum to NORC's prior report (Barari et al., 2024). Issues identified with domestic rankings in the U.S. also apply to international systems, with some additional challenges particular to the international case: (1) There are inherent challenges to cross-national standardization and comparability; (2) There are many layers of subjectivity in international rankings; and (3) The intended purpose of each ranking is not clear. This report offers several key recommendations to address these challenges. [This report was produced by NORC Research Science.]
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED675805
Database: ERIC
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  Data: International College Ranking Systems: A Methodological Review. Final Report
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  Data: Rankings of international higher education institutions have become influential, newsworthy metrics worldwide. This is unsurprising given the rising prevalence of cross-national college attendance. This report evaluates the methodologies of three major international ranking systems: the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, or "Shanghai Rankings"), the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), and the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS). This report serves as an addendum to NORC's prior report (Barari et al., 2024). Issues identified with domestic rankings in the U.S. also apply to international systems, with some additional challenges particular to the international case: (1) There are inherent challenges to cross-national standardization and comparability; (2) There are many layers of subjectivity in international rankings; and (3) The intended purpose of each ranking is not clear. This report offers several key recommendations to address these challenges. [This report was produced by NORC Research Science.]
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 38
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Reputation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional Evaluation
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      – SubjectFull: Colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Research Methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Construct Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluation Methods
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      – SubjectFull: Surveys
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      – SubjectFull: Bibliometrics
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      – SubjectFull: Standards
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
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      – TitleFull: International College Ranking Systems: A Methodological Review. Final Report
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