Towards a new crown indicator: Some theoretical considerations

Ludo Waltman, Nees Jan van Eck, Thed N. van Leeuwen, Martijn S. Visser and Anthony F.J. van Raan

Journal of Informetrics, 2011, vol. 5, issue 1, 37-47

Abstract: The crown indicator is a well-known bibliometric indicator of research performance developed by our institute. The indicator aims to normalize citation counts for differences among fields. We critically examine the theoretical basis of the normalization mechanism applied in the crown indicator. We also make a comparison with an alternative normalization mechanism. The alternative mechanism turns out to have more satisfactory properties than the mechanism applied in the crown indicator. In particular, the alternative mechanism has a so-called consistency property. The mechanism applied in the crown indicator lacks this important property. As a consequence of our findings, we are currently moving towards a new crown indicator, which relies on the alternative normalization mechanism.

Keywords: Bibliometric indicator; Consistency; Crown indicator; Normalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (85)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:infome:v:5:y:2011:i:1:p:37-47

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2010.08.001

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