Abstract
Reflecting the attention to various college rankings among the stakeholders of higher education, research on rankings has significantly increased over the last two decades. In this chapter, the authors examine methodological issues and ideas that are central to the study of college rankings. Focusing on the empirical research, impact of rankings on institutions’ attainment of key resources, and institutional behaviours in response to ranking systems, we explain the data and analytic approaches employed by those studies. With examples from selected studies, the authors examine what aspects of rankings are addressed and what inferences are made about rankings, each presenting strengths and weaknesses. This chapter will identify gaps in knowledge that could provide fruitful directions for new studies, examine threats to valid interpretation, consider issues researchers should consider as they design new studies, and identify the distinct research questions that each methodological approach is best poised to answer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Research Handbook on University Rankings |
Subtitle of host publication | Theory, Methodology, Influence and Impact |
Publisher | Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. |
Pages | 38-53 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781788974981 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781788974974 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2021 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences