The assessment of economics journals in Italy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the system of assessment of economics journals in Italy, with particular attention to its implications for the development of a heterodox approach in economics. Design/methodology/approach The paper sketches the most important aspects of the Italian system of assessment of economics journals. Findings By employing the available sources of information, the main features of Italian periodical literature in social sciences are pin‐pointed. These consist of a large number of journals and, at the same time, there is an absence of ranking procedures for these journals based on impact factor criteria. Journals are mainly assessed through more “qualitative based” criteria: in particular, their scientific orientations, the standing of their Editorial Boards, and their level of diffusion among libraries. One important reason that might explain this trend lies in the blending of different strands of social thought that are at the heart of our cultural tradition. In fact, most such contributions have a distinct humanistic flair, which emphasizes the relevance of feelings, values and collective action in human experience. Research limitations/implications The paper stresses that this system of research assessment, while having the merit of preserving some pluralism in social sciences, does not guarantee in many cases a well‐defined evaluation of economics journals, research institutions and individual contributions. Originality/value The paper highlights the importance of fostering a pluralistic‐oriented research assessment that should take into account, through a comprehensive and participatory social value process, all the factors relevant for a thorough appraisal of scientific contributions

Economics · Epistemology · Originality · Pluralism (philosophy · Political science · Positive economics · Qualitative research · Ranking (information retrieval · Relevance (law · Social science · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Computer Science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Italy: Economic History and Contemporary Issues · Law · Management, Economics, and Public Policy

• Scientific Realism and Human Emancipation

  Roy Bhaskar•Scientific Realism and Human…•2009

  Incluir item