Why is the Academic Peer Review given a weighting of 40%?
Weightings are a subjective area of this research exercise, but in a scenario where multiple factors are being used, an essential component of how the rankings are compiled. In this context they are the responsibility of the Times Higher Education, but there are some clear reasons why this aspect carries such a significant proportion of the overall weighting. Firstly, it’s worth noting that unlike our citations per faculty score (which many commentators feel should carry greater weight) the peer review component offers an even handed perspective on the various broad subject areas – with institutional strengths in Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences able to contribute significantly to the overall view of an institution. Secondly, the weight carried by the Peer Review would be likely to be reduced in a scenario where additional reliable indicators of institutional quality were identified. Some commentators have suggested that a higher weighting ought to be placed on the Peer Review and
