National Rankings based on multiple indicators versus synthetic indices

This paper analyzes the interest of national rankings of universities in making visible the research activities of these institutions in non-core countries. To do this, the first part of methodology presents the characteristics of the national rankings that are more appropriate for identifying and comparing the activities of institutions of the same environment. It also describes the advantages and limitations of using multiple indicators as opposed to synthetic indicators. The second part presents the IUNE Observatory as a tool that provides comprehensive and diverse information for monitoring the research activity of Spanish universities. The data obtained allow us to identify the characteristics of the Spanish university system as well as to position the institutions according to their activities, into 6 different dimensions based on 42 different indicators.