Manufacturing an illusory consensus? A bibliometric analysis of the international debate on education privatisation. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verger, Antoni; Fontdevila, Clara; Rogan, Ruarri; Gurney, Thomas
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational development. Volume 64(2019)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Privatisation -- International organisations -- Bibliometrics -- Network analysis -- Knowledge brokers [free descriptor] -- Evidence-based policy [free descriptor]; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Périodiques; Education; Periodicals; 370.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.12.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-0593

Abstract

Highlights: Studies reporting negative effects of privatisation outweigh those finding a positive impact. International agencies reviewing evidence on privatisation exhibit contrasting citation patterns. Some agencies draw on a body of literature poorly connected to scholar research. The selectivity of references is indicative of a tactical use of evidence with legitimizing purposes. Abstract: As one of the most polarised areas in education research, the education privatisation debate generates opportunities for knowledge-brokers to promote their preferred policy alternatives. Based on bibliometric analysis techniques, this paper maps the configuration of the academic debate on privatisation, and explores how it is connected with the references mobilized by a group of international agencies located at the interstices of the research and policy fields. Our findings suggest that, when confronted with certain incentives, some international agencies use evidence in a selective and tactical way as a means to support their pre-established policy pReferences.