Publication: The comparison of normalization procedures based on different classification systems
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2013-05
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Abstract
In this paper, we develop a new methodology for comparing normalization procedures based on
different classification systems. Firstly, a pair of normalization procedures should be compared using
their own classification systems for evaluation purposes. Secondly, when the two procedures are noncomparable
according to the above test, then evaluation using a third (or more) classification systems
may be forthcoming. In the empirical part of the paper we use: (i) the IDCP method for the evaluation
of normalization procedures; (ii) two nested classification systems consisting of 219 sub-fields and 19
fields, together with a systematic and a random assignment of articles to sub-fields (or fields) with the
aim of maximizing or minimizing differences across sub-fields (or fields); (iii) six normalization
procedures using mean citations in each of the classification systems as normalization factors, and (iv) a
large dataset, indexed by Thomson Reuters, in which 4.4 million articles published in 1998-2003 with a
five-year citation window are assigned to Web of Science subject-categories, or sub-fields using a
fractional approach. The results obtained indicate that this methodology may lead to useful conclusions
in specific instances.