The field factor: towards a metric for academic institutions.

We present a new model for performance-related funding of universities in Sweden. The model is based on number of papers in international scientific journals, but relies on an estimation of field- adjusted production per scientific/technological area. Author counts are based on potential authors using the Waring distribution for 34 areas of science (Schubert and Braun, 1992). We apply this model to the Swedish university system and illustrate with the reallocations that would follow from a complete implementation. Next, we test the accuracy of the method using publication data from six Swedish universities and four Norwegian universities. In conclusion we discuss advantages and drawbacks with the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]