Princess Sumaya University of Technology

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND STRATEGIC VISION

Princess Sumaya University of Technology (PSUT) demonstrates a robust scientific integrity profile, reflected in its low overall risk score of 0.174. The institution exhibits exceptional governance in key areas, maintaining very low-risk levels in the Rate of Multiple Affiliations, Hyper-Authored Output, and Output in Institutional Journals, effectively insulating itself from contrary national trends. These strengths are foundational to its mission of producing distinguished graduates and fostering solid research. However, medium-risk signals in areas like the Rate of Retracted Output and, most notably, a Rate of Redundant Output that exceeds the national average, present strategic vulnerabilities. These practices, which can prioritize publication volume over substance, risk undermining the very "excellence" and "solid research" the mission champions. The university's strong positioning in the SCImago Institutions Rankings, particularly in Mathematics (10th in Jordan), Computer Science (11th), and Engineering (11th), provides a powerful platform for growth. To fully align its operational reality with its strategic vision, PSUT is encouraged to leverage this report to refine its research ethics policies and training, ensuring that its impressive quantitative output is matched by unimpeachable qualitative integrity.

ANALYSIS BY INDICATOR

Rate of Multiple Affiliations

The institution presents a Z-score of -0.962, a very low-risk signal that contrasts sharply with the medium-risk national average of 0.836. This indicates a state of preventive isolation, where the university does not replicate the risk dynamics observed in its environment. While multiple affiliations can be a legitimate outcome of collaboration, disproportionately high rates can signal strategic attempts to inflate institutional credit. PSUT's data suggests its collaborative patterns are well-governed and focused on genuine partnership rather than "affiliation shopping," reflecting a strong commitment to transparently representing its research network.

Rate of Retracted Output

With a Z-score of 0.032, the university's rate of retractions is classified as a medium risk, yet it demonstrates more effective control compared to the national average of 0.101. This suggests a differentiated management approach that successfully moderates a risk prevalent in the country. Retractions are complex events, and a rate significantly higher than average can alert to a vulnerability in an institution's integrity culture. PSUT’s lower value indicates that its pre-publication quality control mechanisms, while not infallible, are more robust than the national standard, mitigating the potential for recurring malpractice or a lack of methodological rigor.

Rate of Institutional Self-Citation

The university's Z-score for institutional self-citation is 0.346, a medium-risk value that is considerably lower than the national average of 1.075. This points to a differentiated management of this risk, where PSUT avoids the more pronounced national trend. While some self-citation reflects the continuity of research lines, high rates can signal scientific isolation or 'echo chambers.' PSUT’s more moderate score suggests a healthier balance, mitigating the risk of endogamous impact inflation and indicating that its academic influence is validated by both internal continuity and external community recognition.

Rate of Output in Discontinued Journals

PSUT's Z-score of 1.821 for publications in discontinued journals represents a medium risk, but it is notably lower than the national average of 2.544. This indicates a more effective, though not perfect, management of publication channel selection compared to the national context. A high proportion of output in such journals is a critical alert regarding due diligence, as it exposes the institution to reputational risks. PSUT's performance suggests a greater awareness in avoiding 'predatory' or low-quality media, though it highlights a continued need for information literacy to protect its research investments.

Rate of Hyper-Authored Output

The institution's Z-score of -1.268 is in the very low-risk category, performing even better than the low-risk national average of -0.808. This demonstrates low-profile consistency, where the complete absence of risk signals aligns with and reinforces the national standard of integrity. This indicator is designed to flag potential author list inflation outside of 'Big Science' contexts. PSUT's excellent result confirms that its research culture promotes clear individual accountability and successfully avoids practices like 'honorary' or political authorships.

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

PSUT shows a low-risk Z-score of -0.393, a figure that signals institutional resilience, especially when compared to the medium-risk national average of 0.170. This score indicates that the university's control mechanisms are effectively mitigating a systemic risk present in the country. A wide positive gap can suggest that scientific prestige is dependent on external partners rather than internal capacity. PSUT’s negative score is a healthy sign, suggesting its scientific prestige is structural and derived from research where it exercises intellectual leadership, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Rate of Hyperprolific Authors

The university's Z-score of -0.549 places it in the low-risk category, showcasing institutional resilience against the medium-risk national trend (0.332). This suggests that PSUT's internal controls effectively mitigate a broader systemic vulnerability. Extreme individual publication volumes can challenge the limits of meaningful intellectual contribution and point to risks like coercive authorship or prioritizing metrics over scientific integrity. PSUT's low score indicates a healthy balance between productivity and quality, safeguarding the credibility of its authors' contributions.

Rate of Output in Institutional Journals

With a very low Z-score of -0.268, PSUT demonstrates a clear preventive isolation from the national medium-risk average of 0.610. This is a strong indicator of good governance. By not over-relying on its own journals, the institution avoids the conflicts of interest and academic endogamy that can arise when it acts as both judge and party. This practice ensures that its scientific production undergoes independent external peer review, which is essential for achieving global visibility and competitive validation.

Rate of Redundant Output

The institution's Z-score for redundant output is 0.876, a medium-risk signal that indicates high exposure, as it is notably above the national average of 0.522. This suggests PSUT is more prone to this risk factor than its peers. A high value here alerts to the potential practice of 'salami slicing,' where a coherent study is fragmented into minimal publishable units to artificially inflate productivity. This dynamic, which overburdens the review system and prioritizes volume over significant new knowledge, warrants a review of authorship and publication ethics guidelines.