VetAgro Sup

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND STRATEGIC VISION

VetAgro Sup presents a robust and generally well-managed research integrity profile, reflected in an overall score of -0.119. The institution demonstrates exceptional strengths in foundational areas of scientific practice, with very low risk signals in retracted output, publication in discontinued journals, hyperprolific authorship, and output in institutional journals. These results indicate strong internal quality controls and a commitment to external validation. This solid integrity framework supports the institution's notable thematic leadership, as evidenced by its high national rankings in key areas according to SCImago Institutions Rankings data, particularly in Veterinary (11th in France), Agricultural and Biological Sciences (39th), and Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (56th). However, a significant alert in the Rate of Multiple Affiliations, which far exceeds the national average, poses a strategic risk. While a specific institutional mission was not available for this analysis, this outlier practice could be perceived as conflicting with the universal academic values of transparency and authentic collaboration, potentially undermining the institution's reputation for excellence. It is recommended that VetAgro Sup leverage its clear strengths in research integrity to conduct a focused review of its affiliation policies, ensuring they fully align with its demonstrated capacity for high-quality, impactful science.

ANALYSIS BY INDICATOR

Rate of Multiple Affiliations

The institution presents a Z-score of 2.804, a value that indicates a significant risk level and stands in stark contrast to the national average of 0.648. This score suggests that the institution is not merely participating in a national trend but is actively amplifying a vulnerability present in the French system. While multiple affiliations can be a legitimate outcome of collaboration, this disproportionately high rate serves as a critical alert for potential strategic "affiliation shopping" or attempts to artificially inflate institutional credit. The severity of this discrepancy warrants an urgent internal review to ensure that all declared affiliations correspond to substantive and transparent scientific partnerships, thereby safeguarding the institution's academic reputation.

Rate of Retracted Output

With a Z-score of -0.512, the institution demonstrates a very low incidence of retracted publications, performing better than the already low-risk national average of -0.189. This low-profile consistency indicates that the institution's quality control and supervision mechanisms are not only effective but also align with the highest national standards. The absence of risk signals in this area is a positive sign of a healthy integrity culture, where potential errors are likely addressed prior to publication, reflecting methodological rigor and responsible scientific conduct.

Rate of Institutional Self-Citation

The institution's Z-score for self-citation is -0.692, a low-risk value that is notably more prudent than the French average of -0.200. This demonstrates that the institution manages its citation practices with greater rigor than the national standard. A certain level of self-citation is natural, but this lower rate suggests the institution successfully avoids the "echo chambers" that can arise from excessive self-validation. This prudent profile indicates that the institution's academic influence is robustly validated by the external scientific community, rather than being inflated by internal dynamics.

Rate of Output in Discontinued Journals

The institution exhibits a Z-score of -0.504, reflecting a near-total absence of publications in discontinued journals and surpassing the strong national benchmark of -0.450. This operational silence in a high-risk area is a clear indicator of exemplary due diligence in the selection of publication venues. It confirms that the institution's researchers are well-informed and effectively avoid predatory or low-quality journals, thereby protecting institutional resources and reputation from the severe risks associated with such practices.

Rate of Hyper-Authored Output

With a Z-score of 0.684, the institution shows a medium risk level for hyper-authored publications, a figure that is slightly below the national average of 0.859. This suggests that while the institution is part of a national context where large author lists are common, it exercises more effective control over this practice than its peers. This differentiated management helps moderate the risk of author list inflation and honorary authorships, signaling a more rigorous approach to ensuring that authorship reflects genuine intellectual contribution and accountability.

Gap between Impact of total output and the impact of output with leadership

The institution reports a Z-score of 0.025 in this indicator, a value significantly lower and healthier than the national average of 0.512. This result points to a highly sustainable model of scientific impact. While it is common for institutions to depend on external partners, this very small gap indicates that VetAgro Sup's scientific prestige is overwhelmingly driven by its own internal capacity and intellectual leadership. This demonstrates that its excellence is structural and endogenous, not merely the result of strategic positioning in collaborations led by others.

Rate of Hyperprolific Authors

The institution's Z-score of -1.413 is exceptionally low, indicating a complete absence of hyperprolific authors and far exceeding the low-risk national standard of -0.654. This low-profile consistency is a strong positive signal. It suggests an institutional culture that prioritizes quality and meaningful intellectual contribution over sheer publication volume, effectively mitigating risks such as coercive authorship or data fragmentation. This result points to a balanced and healthy research environment where the integrity of the scientific record is paramount.

Rate of Output in Institutional Journals

With a Z-score of -0.268, the institution shows a very low rate of publication in its own journals, demonstrating perfect synchrony with the national average of -0.246. This alignment with an environment of maximum scientific security confirms a strong commitment to independent, external peer review. By avoiding the potential conflicts of interest inherent in self-publication, the institution ensures its research is validated through competitive international channels, thereby enhancing its global visibility and scientific credibility.

Rate of Redundant Output

The institution's Z-score of 0.438 for redundant output is in the medium-risk category and slightly higher than the national average of 0.387. This indicates a higher-than-average exposure to practices like "salami slicing," where studies may be fragmented to inflate publication counts. While this reflects a systemic pattern, the institution's heightened signal suggests it is more prone to this behavior than its peers. This warrants a review of publication incentives to ensure that the focus remains on generating significant new knowledge rather than prioritizing volume, which can distort the scientific record.