Webometrics Ranking and Its Relationship to Quality Education and Research in Academic Institutions in Kenya.

Abstract

Webometrics ranking is the system of rating the world's universities based on composite indicators of visibility and activity measures (Drussa, 2014). Universities are ranked based on quality and research results reflected through website presence and domain, repositories and informal scholarly communication (Webometrics, 2011). Scholars are turning to the internet for scientific information while institutions of higher learning are devoting more and more resources to improve their website presence (Aguillo et al., 2008). Practice of ranking universities in the United States of America (USA) and many other countries around the world has become common although this is much more recent phenomenon (World Education News and Services, 2015). Provision of higher educational opportunities has become increasingly international, and hence the need for reliable means of institutional comparisons where organizations compile and publish annual global university rankings using the most comprehensive and frequently cited systems - Academic Ranking of World Universities and Times Higher University World Rankings.