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The Times Higher Education World University Rankings initially partnered with Thomson Reuters from 2004 to 2009.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Times Higher Education World University Rankings partnered with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) from 2004 to 2009, and subsequently with Thomson Reuters from 2010 to 2013.
Elsevier has been the data provider for the THE Rankings since 2014, specializing in scientific, technical, and medical content.
Answer: True
Explanation: Times Higher Education signed an agreement with Elsevier in 2014 for data provision. Elsevier is known for its specialization in scientific, technical, and medical content.
The THE Rankings are considered one of the most widely observed university rankings, alongside the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the QS World University Rankings.
Answer: True
Explanation: The THE Rankings are widely recognized as one of the three most influential international university rankings, alongside the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the QS World University Rankings.
John O'Leary, a former editor of Times Higher Education magazine, was attributed with the creation of the original Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings.
Answer: True
Explanation: John O'Leary, a former editor of Times Higher Education magazine, is indeed credited with the creation of the initial Times Higher Education–QS World University Rankings.
Times Higher Education decided to split from QS after the 2009 rankings because they felt universities deserved a less rigorous and transparent ranking system.
Answer: False
Explanation: Times Higher Education split from QS because they believed universities deserved a *more* rigorous, robust, and transparent set of rankings, not less.
The first rankings using THE's new methodology were published on 16 September 2010, a month later than in previous years.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first rankings using THE's new methodology were published on September 16, 2010, which was a month *earlier* than in previous years.
In November 2014, Times Higher Education announced reforms including bringing all institutional data collection in-house and sourcing research publication data from Elsevier's Scopus database.
Answer: True
Explanation: Times Higher Education announced in November 2014 that it would bring institutional data collection in-house and utilize Elsevier's Scopus database for research publication data.
The 2015/16 edition of the THE World University Rankings ranked 800 universities, a significant expansion from its initial scope.
Answer: True
Explanation: The scope of the THE World University Rankings expanded significantly, with the 2015/16 edition ranking 800 universities, a notable increase from its initial focus on the top 200.
Phil Baty is identified as the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Answer: True
Explanation: Phil Baty is recognized as the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, a role in which he has commented on the methodology and evolution of the rankings.
What is the primary purpose of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings?
Answer: To assess and compare universities globally based on various performance indicators.
Explanation: The primary purpose of the THE World University Rankings is to provide an annual assessment and comparison of universities worldwide, utilizing a range of performance indicators.
Which organization did Times Higher Education partner with for a new ranking system from 2010 to 2013?
Answer: Thomson Reuters
Explanation: From 2010 to 2013, Times Higher Education partnered with Thomson Reuters for the development of its new ranking system, following its split from QS.
What positive feedback has the THE Rankings received regarding its methodology since 2010?
Answer: It is praised for having a new, improved ranking methodology developed through extensive consultation.
Explanation: Since 2010, the THE Rankings have been lauded for their new, improved methodology, which was developed through extensive consultation with experts and readers to enhance rigor and transparency.
According to former editor Ann Mroz, why did Times Higher Education split from QS after the 2009 rankings?
Answer: Because universities deserved a more rigorous, robust, and transparent set of rankings.
Explanation: Former editor Ann Mroz stated that Times Higher Education separated from QS after 2009 because they believed universities warranted a more rigorous, robust, and transparent ranking system.
When did Times Higher Education publish its first rankings using its new methodology?
Answer: 16 September 2010
Explanation: Times Higher Education released its first rankings based on its new methodology on September 16, 2010.
What were the key changes to data collection announced by Times Higher Education in November 2014?
Answer: Bringing all institutional data collection in-house and sourcing research publication data from Elsevier's Scopus database.
Explanation: In November 2014, Times Higher Education announced key reforms to data collection, including internalizing institutional data collection and sourcing research publication data from Elsevier's Scopus database.
What was the initial scope of the THE World University Rankings in 2011?
Answer: It ranked only the top 200 institutions, with an unranked 'best of the rest' list for 201 to 400.
Explanation: In 2011, the THE World University Rankings initially focused on ranking the top 200 institutions, with an additional unranked list for those from 201 to 400.
Who is identified as the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings?
Answer: Phil Baty
Explanation: Phil Baty is officially recognized as the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
In 2010, The Globe and Mail described the Times Higher Education World University Rankings as:
Answer: 'arguably the most influential' among the major international university rankings.
Explanation: In 2010, The Globe and Mail characterized the Times Higher Education World University Rankings as 'arguably the most influential' among the leading international university ranking systems.
The 'Industry Income – innovation' category accounts for 5% of the overall score in the 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Industry Income – innovation' category accounted for 2.5% of the overall score in the inaugural 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology, not 5%.
The 'International diversity' category, updated to 'International outlook,' contributes 7.5% to the score as of 2022-23 updates.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'International diversity' category, now termed 'International outlook,' contributes 7.5% to the overall score as per the 2022-23 updates.
The 'Teaching – the learning environment' category accounts for 15% of the overall score, primarily based on a reputational survey.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Teaching – the learning environment' category accounts for 30% of the overall score, with its reputational survey component contributing 15% *of that category's weighting*.
The 'Research – volume, income and reputation' category includes a reputational survey that accounts for 18% of its weighting as of 2022-23.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of the 2022-23 updates, the 'Research – volume, income and reputation' category includes a reputational survey component that accounts for 18% of its total weighting.
The 'Citations – research influence' category accounts for 30% of the overall score as of 2022-23, measured by the normalized average citation per paper.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Citations – research influence' category contributes 30% to the overall score as of 2022-23, and its measurement is based on the normalized average citation per paper.
Normalization of citation data in THE Rankings ensures that institutions in fields like social sciences, which tend to have high citation counts, do not have an unfair advantage.
Answer: False
Explanation: Normalization of citation data is intended to prevent institutions in fields like life sciences, which tend to have high citation counts, from having an unfair advantage over fields like social sciences, which typically have lower citation averages.
In the inaugural 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology, what was the weighting for the 'Teaching' category?
Answer: 30%
Explanation: In the inaugural 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology, the 'Teaching' category was assigned a weighting of 30% of the final score.
Which of the following is NOT an indicator considered under the 'International diversity' (now 'International outlook') category?
Answer: Income per academic.
Explanation: The 'International diversity' category includes ratios of international staff and students, and international collaboration, but not 'Income per academic,' which is an indicator for the 'Teaching' category.
What percentage of the overall score does 'Research – volume, income and reputation' account for?
Answer: 30%
Explanation: The 'Research – volume, income and reputation' category contributes 30% to the overall score in the THE Rankings methodology.
How is 'Citations – research influence' primarily measured in the THE Rankings?
Answer: By the normalized average citation per paper.
Explanation: The 'Citations – research influence' indicator is primarily quantified by the normalized average citation per paper, drawing data from academic journals indexed by Thomson Reuters' Web of Science.
What is the purpose of normalizing citation data in THE Rankings?
Answer: To reflect variations in citation volume between different subject areas.
Explanation: The normalization of citation data in THE Rankings serves to account for the inherent variations in citation volume that exist across different academic subject areas.
What was the weighting for 'Citations (research impact)' in the inaugural 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology?
Answer: 32.5%
Explanation: In the inaugural 2010–2011 THE Rankings methodology, the 'Citations (research impact)' category was assigned a weighting of 32.5%.
The University of Cambridge has consistently held the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings from 2017 to 2024.
Answer: False
Explanation: The University of Oxford, not Cambridge, has consistently held the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings from 2017 to 2024.
The THE Universities Under 50 list attaches more weight to reputation indicators, recognizing the established prestige of newer institutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The THE Universities Under 50 list attaches *less* weight to reputation indicators, acknowledging that newer institutions may not have established the same level of historical prestige.
The Paris Sciences et Lettres University, established in 2010, was ranked 1st in the THE Universities Under 50 list in 2023.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Paris Sciences et Lettres University, founded in 2010, achieved the 1st position in the THE Universities Under 50 list in 2023.
THE's subject rankings categorize academic disciplines into five main sub-categories, excluding 'Languages & Cultures'.
Answer: False
Explanation: THE's subject rankings categorize academic disciplines into *six* main sub-categories, and 'Languages & Cultures' is explicitly included among them.
THE's World Reputation Rankings serve as a subsidiary of the overall league tables and rank universities independently based on their prestige scores.
Answer: True
Explanation: THE's World Reputation Rankings function as a distinct component, independently assessing universities based solely on their perceived academic prestige.
Harvard University has consistently ranked first in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings from 2011 to 2025.
Answer: True
Explanation: Harvard University has indeed maintained the top position in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings consistently from 2011 to 2025.
From 2016 onwards, the Asia University Rankings were recalibrated to use a completely different set of performance indicators than the THE World University Rankings.
Answer: False
Explanation: From 2016 onwards, the Asia University Rankings were recalibrated to use the *same* 13 performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings, but adjusted for the Asian context.
Tsinghua University has consistently ranked first in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings from 2019 to 2025.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tsinghua University has consistently held the top position in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings from 2019 to 2025.
The Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Rankings include universities from all countries, regardless of their economic classification.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Rankings specifically include only universities in countries classified as 'emerging economies' by FTSE Group.
Peking University has frequently held the top position in the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings.
Answer: True
Explanation: Peking University has frequently secured the top position in the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings, notably from 2014 to 2017 and again in 2022.
Beyond global university rankings, what other types of rankings does Times Higher Education publish?
Answer: Rankings by subject, reputation, and regional tables for Asia, Latin America, and BRICS/emerging economies.
Explanation: Times Higher Education expands its ranking portfolio beyond global university assessments to include specialized rankings by subject, reputation, and regional tables for Asia, Latin America, and BRICS/emerging economies.
Which university has consistently held the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings from 2017 to 2024?
Answer: University of Oxford
Explanation: The University of Oxford has consistently secured the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings from 2017 to 2024.
How does the methodology of the THE Universities Under 50 list differ from the main global rankings?
Answer: It attaches less weight to reputation indicators.
Explanation: The methodology of the THE Universities Under 50 list diverges from the main global rankings by assigning less weight to reputation indicators, acknowledging the relatively newer status of these institutions.
Which university was ranked 1st in the THE Universities Under 50 list in 2023?
Answer: Paris Sciences et Lettres University
Explanation: In 2023, the Paris Sciences et Lettres University was ranked 1st in the THE Universities Under 50 list.
Which of the following is one of the six academic discipline sub-categories used in THE's subject rankings?
Answer: Languages & Cultures
Explanation: Among the six academic discipline sub-categories utilized in THE's subject rankings, 'Languages & Cultures' is explicitly listed.
What is the primary focus of THE's World Reputation Rankings?
Answer: The perceived academic reputation of institutions.
Explanation: The primary focus of THE's World Reputation Rankings is to assess and rank universities based solely on their perceived academic reputation and prestige.
Which university has consistently ranked first in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings from 2011 to 2025?
Answer: Harvard University
Explanation: Harvard University has consistently held the top position in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings from 2011 to 2025, signifying its enduring global academic prestige.
How were the Asia University Rankings recalibrated from 2016 onwards?
Answer: They used the same 13 performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings, but recalibrated for Asia's institutions.
Explanation: From 2016 onwards, the Asia University Rankings were recalibrated to employ the same 13 performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings, with adjustments made to specifically reflect the characteristics of Asian institutions.
Which university has consistently ranked first in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings from 2019 to 2025?
Answer: Tsinghua University
Explanation: Tsinghua University has consistently ranked first in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings from 2019 to 2025.
What criteria define the universities included in the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Rankings?
Answer: Universities in countries classified as 'emerging economies' by FTSE Group.
Explanation: The Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Rankings specifically include universities located in countries designated as 'emerging economies' by FTSE Group.
Which university has frequently held the top position in the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings?
Answer: Peking University
Explanation: Peking University has frequently achieved the top position in the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings, notably from 2014 to 2017 and again in 2022.
A primary criticism of the THE Rankings' methodology is that it overestimates non-science and non-English instructing institutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: A primary criticism of the THE Rankings' methodology is that it *underestimates* non-science and non-English instructing institutions, not overestimates them.
Phil Baty acknowledged that the previous rankings' surveys of reputation, which constituted 40 percent of scores, had serious weaknesses.
Answer: True
Explanation: Phil Baty, the editor of the new THE World University Rankings, explicitly stated that the previous reputation surveys, which accounted for 40% of scores, had significant weaknesses.
Ross Williams of the Melbourne Institute found the 2010–2011 draft methodology to be academically robust, despite favoring comprehensive programs over science-based institutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ross Williams found the methodology academically robust but noted it would favor 'science-based institutions with relatively few undergraduates' at the expense of institutions with more comprehensive programs.
A significant criticism of THE Rankings is that the high importance placed on citations disadvantages universities that primarily publish in English.
Answer: False
Explanation: A significant criticism is that the high importance placed on citations *disadvantages* universities that *do not* use English as their primary language, as publications and citations in other languages are harder to track.
The London School of Economics (LSE) dropped significantly in earlier THE-QS rankings due to a bias towards 'hard science' fields in the methodology.
Answer: True
Explanation: The London School of Economics (LSE) experienced a significant drop in earlier THE-QS rankings, a decline attributed to a methodological bias towards 'hard science' fields.
The incident involving Trinity College Dublin highlighted concerns about the extensive data checking performed by the ranking compilers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The incident involving Trinity College Dublin's data error highlighted concerns about a 'very limited checking of data' by the ranking compilers, not extensive checking.
A general criticism of THE Rankings is that they do not consider the price of education, comparing private North American universities to European institutions that often offer free education.
Answer: True
Explanation: A criticism of THE Rankings is their failure to account for the cost of education, leading to comparisons between tuition-charging North American universities and often free European institutions.
In 2021, the University of Tsukuba was praised for its accurate data submission to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2021, the University of Tsukuba was alleged to have submitted falsified data to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, leading to an investigation.
Several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have boycotted THE rankings since 2020 due to concerns over the transparency of the ranking process.
Answer: True
Explanation: Seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have boycotted THE rankings since 2020, primarily due to concerns regarding the transparency of the ranking process.
Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed criticized the World Reputation Rankings for being unclear about the impact of reputation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed commented that the World Reputation Rankings *could not be criticized* for being unclear about the impact of reputation, as they are 'strictly of reputation'.
What specific weakness did Phil Baty acknowledge about the previous rankings' surveys of reputation?
Answer: They had serious weaknesses, constituting 40 percent of scores.
Explanation: Phil Baty acknowledged that the previous rankings' surveys of reputation, which comprised 40 percent of the total scores, suffered from serious weaknesses.
What is a primary criticism regarding the reliance on citations in THE Rankings, especially for non-English institutions?
Answer: It disadvantages universities that do not use English as their primary language.
Explanation: A primary criticism of the reliance on citations in THE Rankings is that it disadvantages universities where English is not the primary language, as tracking publications and citations in other languages is more challenging.
The London School of Economics (LSE) exemplified criticism of bias towards 'hard science' in earlier THE-QS rankings by:
Answer: Dropping significantly in rankings due to a flawed method biased towards 'hard science'.
Explanation: The London School of Economics (LSE) exemplified the criticism of bias towards 'hard science' by experiencing a significant drop in earlier THE-QS rankings, which was attributed to a flawed methodology.
What did the incident involving Trinity College Dublin's data error highlight about the rankings?
Answer: A 'very limited checking of data' on the part of those who carry out such rankings.
Explanation: The data error involving Trinity College Dublin underscored concerns about a 'very limited checking of data' by the ranking compilers, as the mistake went unnoticed.
What is one of the broader criticisms regarding the target audience of THE Rankings?
Answer: It is not clear who the rankings are made for, as many students are not primarily interested in a university's scientific work.
Explanation: A broader criticism of THE Rankings is the lack of clarity regarding their target audience, given that many students, particularly undergraduates, may not primarily focus on a university's scientific research output.
Why have several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) boycotted THE rankings since 2020?
Answer: Citing concerns over transparency in the ranking process.
Explanation: Several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have boycotted THE rankings since 2020, primarily due to concerns regarding the transparency of the ranking process.