91¶ÌÊÓƵ Academic Excellence Survey 2024 Methodology
The Story Behind
91¶ÌÊÓƵ began to publish rankings of world universities by academic subjects in 2009. The first batch of ranked subjects includes Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Economics/Business. The scope of the rankings has gradually extended to cover seven engineering subjects to ensure methodological consistency in 2016. One unique feature in the methodology of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ¡¯s ARWU and subject rankings is the use of Award indicator, such as counting the universities¡¯ staff winning Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Economics and Fields Medals in Mathematics. However, it remained unknown whether there are awards equivalent to Nobel Prize or at least globally recognized in other respective subjects. Under this circumstance, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ decided to engage distinguished academic scholars from the top universities in the world to nominate academic awards/prizes and other potentially important measures of academic performance.
Participants
We have surveyed dozens of thousands of professors from the top 100 universities in the world. They are from different fields, and many of them are the chairs or heads of the faculties or departments. Different from a conventional survey, we reveal the names and affiliated institutions of all participants. Therefore, the outcomes of the survey are highly authoritative and transparent. The survey was sent to each participant¡¯s work email with a customized link with the participant¡¯s personal information.
Questions
The survey includes three questions, none of which are compulsory. The first question requires the participants to list the top-tier journals in their primary subjects. The second question asks the participants to nominate the most influential and credible international awards in their primary subjects. The third question, introduced for the first time in 2024 survey, invites the participants to identify the key international organizations in their primary subjects. Researchers from Computer Science & Engineering are also asked to name the top-tier conferences in this subject.
Criteria
A journal is considered as a Top Journal if it meets one of the following conditions:
1. 10 or more votes have been cast in a subject, and the journal has received at least 33% of the votes in that subject. OR
2. 5 to 9 votes have been cast in a subject, and the journal has received at least 50% of the votes in that subject.
An award is considered as a Top Award if it meets one of the following conditions:
1. 10 or more votes have been cast in a subject, and the award has received at least 33% of the votes in that subject. OR
2. 5 to 9 votes have been cast in a subject, and the award has received at least 50% of the votes in that subject.
An organization is considered as a Key International Organization if it meets one of the following conditions:
1. 10 or more votes have been cast in a subject, and the organization has received at least 33% of the votes in that subject. OR
2. 5 to 9 votes have been cast in a subject, and the organization has received at least 50% of the votes in that subject.
*Additionally, if the organization¡¯s official name includes a specific country or region, at least 50% of the votes must come from outside that country or region.
A conference is considered as a Top Conference if it received at least 10 votes.
Results
Until April 2024, 1551 professors have participated in the survey. They are from 121 universities, and 21 countries/regions, covering 64 subjects. The results reveal 170 top journals in 46 subjects, 46 top awards in 32 subjects, 22 key international organizations in 17 subjects, and 26 top conferences for Computer Science & Engineering.
Updating
The survey will continue to be updated. Professors from Top 100 universities in the world are welcome to sign up on our website and submit opinions online.
