Abstract:
This study explores the research publication profile of social science
departments at Bharathidasan University using Google Scholar citation metrics.
Analyzing data from 31 faculty members across 13 departments, the research
highlights disparities in productivity and impact. Key findings reveal that the
Department of Economics, represented by scholars like Dr. S. Vanitha and Dr. T.
Sudha, excels in citation counts, h-index, and i10-index, indicating sustained
research influence. In contrast, the Department of Physical Education & Yoga
shows high citation concentration but lower consistency in impact metrics. The
top 10 contributors account for 61% of total articles and 88% of citations,
underscoring a skewed productivity distribution. The study also identifies the
Department of Education Technology and the Department of Social Work as
significant contributors, with notable variations in research output quality and
quantity. Metrics such as average citations per article and i10-index further
elucidate the academic reach and relevance of faculty publications. These
insights emphasize the role of high-impact research in enhancing institutional
reputation, attracting collaborations, and securing funding. By mapping
departmental performance, this research offers actionable recommendations to
strengthen research culture, promote equitable productivity, and align
strategies with global academic standards. The findings contribute to broader
discussions on research assessment and institutional benchmarking in Indian
higher education.
