A Critique of the Bucket Classification of Journals: The ABDCList as an Example

Abstract

Journal ranking is a hazardous endeavour even if it is based on objective criteria. Additional problems arise from the use of an opinion‐based bucket classification of journals. As a bucket classification system, the ABDC list encourages rent‐seeking and arbitrage whereby a researcher goes for the lowest‐quality journal within each bucket or moves to another bucket. The quality of research output should not be judged on the basis of a predetermined list. It would be beneficial if theAustralianBusinessDeansCouncil list were abandoned for the same reasons that led to the abandonment of theExcellence inResearch forAustralia list.