Citation counts and social comparisons: Scientists' use and evaluation of citation index data

Data from samples of biochemists and sociologists show that nearly all are familiar with citation indexes and that the two groups are equally likely to have used a citation index for bibliographic purposes. We develop three hypotheses from social comparison theory to account for variation in use and evaluation of citation counts as indicators of scientific achievement: (1) more highly cited scientists will more often use and more highly evaluate citation counts as indicators of scientific achievement than will less cited scientists, (2) these relationships will be stronger for sociologists than for biochemists, and (3) sociologists as a whole will more often use and more highly evaluate citation counts than biochemists. Finally, among sociologists, we hypothesize that those primarily interested in quantitative research areas will use and favor citation counts more than those with primarily qualitative or theoretical interests. Our data support all but one of these hypotheses. We also report unexpected differences in use and evaluation of citation counts by sex and departmental prestige.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28406/1/0000181.pd

Raising the Bar: A Social Science Critique of Recent Increases to Passing Scores on the Bar Exam

More than one quarter of all states have toughened bar exam standards in recent years, with other states poised to follow suit. About one-third of exam takers from ABA-accredited schools now fail the bar exam on the first attempt. Many of these students would have passed the bar five years ago, before states started raising their passing scores. These higher passing scores raise important policy issues about competition, diversity, and access in the legal profession. In many states, moreover, the new scores rest on a flawed statistical process. Bar examiners, unaware of these defects, are setting arbitrary passing scores that most likely exclude qualified applicants. This article explores both the policy issues surrounding recent increases to bar passing scores and the methodological defects in the statistical process used to set those scores. The analyses are important, not only for assuring fair access to the legal profession, but as a case study of the ways in which flawed statistical processes can affect policy outcomes