Evaluation of Scientific Research in Universities Based on the Idea of Education for Sustainable Development

Zhe Cheng, Tong Xiao, Chen Chen and Xiong Xiong
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Zhe Cheng: Institute of Education, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Tong Xiao: Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Chen Chen: Institute of Education Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Xiong Xiong: Institute of Education, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Our research aims to establish an evaluation framework and evaluate the sustainability of scientific research in universities. Based on the concept of Education for Sustainable Development and the function of scientific research activities, an evaluation framework was constructed including three dimensions: the sustainable trend of scientific research activity, research performance related to the topic of sustainable development, and sustainability of scientific research contributions. Descriptive analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis, and a Statistical Index Method were used to calculate the sustainability of scientific research of world-class universities in China. Results show that China’s world-class universities published more articles related to sustainable development than the best-performing universities in the UK and USA. They make sustainable contributions to society through cultivating Ph.D. graduates, publishing research papers, and transforming science and technology. However, the sustainable trend of the scientific research of universities is still to be improved. The result of resource efficiency is relatively low, and attention should be paid to the waste of human and financial resources. In addition, universities should improve their ability to withstand external risks to minimize the influence of external public emergencies such as COVID-19.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainability; education for sustainable development; scientific research evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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