Measuring Science: Performance Metrics and the Allocation of Talent

LAW & ECON Seminar Series
Speaker : Fabian Waldinger (LMU)
Room T-007

Abstract :

We study the effect of performance metrics on scientific careers and the allocation of talent. We exploit the publication of the Science Citation Index (SCI), the first systematic citation database. To identify causal effects, we exploit that some citations became visible in the SCI, while others remained invisible for technical reasons. With the publication of the SCI, assortative matching between scientists and universities increased. The SCI enabled the discovery of “hidden stars” – highly cited scientists in lower-ranked departments. Lastly, we show that performance metrics affected scientific careers, as measured by promotions.