Factor Analysis based on ABCD Framework on Recently Announced New Research Indices

Abstract

Research indices are used to measure the ability of a researcher and quality of research publications for comparison of research contribution made in a given area/subject. Researchindices generally use the number of research publications and the number of citations thepapers published by an author during a given observation period. There are a number ofresearch indices commonly used to assess the ability and hence the quantity of research alongwith the quality of a research publication. Research indices are calculated based on eithercitation values of research publications of a research scholar or the number of research paperspublished by a research scholar for a given period. Apart from generally used citation indiceslike H-index, i10-index, G-index, and based on argument on whycertain researchpublications do not attract citations initially for some years, it is found that the best method ofidentifying the contribution to research is calculating the annual research index for an authorby considering the annual research publications. Recently, we have suggested some of thenew research indices used for calculating research productivity of individuals as well as ateam of people in an organization which include ARP-Index – (Annual Research PublicationIndex), RC-Index – (Research Continuation Index), RE-Index (Research expansion Index),Project Productivity Index, and Cost Index. In this paper, we have analysed the affectingfactors on these indices by considering four determinant issues which include researchorganization, researcher, funding agency, and industry using objectives, productivity, andcost as three key parameters. The various factors affecting these newly proposed researchindices are discussed by considering their advantages, benefits, constraints, anddisadvantages.