Analysis of patterns in the university world rankings webometrics, Shanghai, QS and SIR-SCimago: case Latin America

Abstract

The internationalization and positioning of universities offers relative comparisons, studied according to different teaching and research criteria. Among the recognized rankings are the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) or Ranking of Shanghai, QS World University Ranking, SCimago Institutions Rankings SIR and the Web Ranking of Universities-Webometrics. Comparatively, characteristics of each one are presented in terms of scope, volume of universities positioned and evaluation criteria. The indicators associated with research and institutional capacity stand out as common criteria in the revised evaluation methodologies. Regarding Latin America, Brazil leads with its presence in the four rankings. There is a greater number of Latin American universities in QS (40%) and Webometrics (31%), in the other two rankings it does not exceed 8%.