2013, Volume 9, Issue 4
Ranking of Polish physical education higher schools based on articles published in 2009-2012 indexed by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Bartłomiej Jan Barczyński1
1Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
Author for correspondence: Bartłomiej Jan Barczyński; Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland; email: barczynski[at]wp.pl
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: There are two basic applications of bibliometrics: descriptive and evaluative, with the following functionalities: accountability, knowledge and development that are the mechanisms of strategic management of science. Such approach is consistent with the model of evidence-based policy, based on use of the results of analyses and research in political decision-making, especially decisions about funds allocation. This approach can be also observed in reformed higher education system in Poland. Hence, the ministerial list as well as the Impact Factor adopted for the purpose of this article, which is a ranking of Polish physical education higher schools based on publications appearing in 2009-2012.
Material and Methods: The study uses scientific articles reported by 25 Polish higher schools with a sport science and related profile, for the period 2009-2012. The verification tool was journals indexes of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education with the assigned points for publications and the Impact Factor scoring, based on the Journal Citation Reports of 2009-2012.
Results: From 25 evaluated institutions, 17 (68%) are academies of physical education and 8 (32%) other types of higher schools identified with sports sciences. Among the higher schools, academies of physical education occupied the first seven positions of the ranking. In the period 2009-2012 all institutions published 4,372 scientific articles;3,455 (79%) were published by academies of physical education, whereas 917 (21%) by academics of eight other types of institutions. Based on two percentile rank classes, the 10% most impacted publications (n=444) were selected, which have the highest score on the ministerial list and the highest Impact Factor as potentially highly cited. The scholars mostly prefer journals with 20 (27%), 25 (16%) and 35 (11%) points.
Conclusions: The ranking being the result of evaluation process allowed to determine the position of the unit in relation to other rated units proving that the academies of physical education fulfil their statutory, social and economic mission. High values of indicators obtained every year confirm the great interest of the academies of physical education to meet challenges put before the higher education by both society and business.
Key words: academy of physical education, assessment, bibliometric analysis, impact factor, polish ministry of science and higher education, ranking, scientific journals, sports science