One salient, if predictable, conclusion points to the strong tie between an institution's research achievement record and its financial strength and overall resources: The better-funded schools tend to rank highly in citations per paper and in the number of Nobel Prize winners who were on campus when they received their awards.
Although significant correlations among high rankings according to the various criteria (see tables on pages 8 and 9) are frequently observable, certain dramatic anomalies defy the identification of absolute causal links.
In this first part of a two-part series, administrators at notable research universities discuss some of the quantifiable factors frequently used in measuring the scientific prowess of their schools. In the second part, to appear in the March 22, 1993, issue, research faculty will address qualitative factors -- such as high morale and a supportive environment -- that they consider pre-requisite to the success of academic research. University ...
