Correlation analysis on the input and output of scientific research in the Open University of China

Xinxin Tao and Shunping Wei
The Open University of China
Beijing, China

In recent years, with the rise and success of online education, open universities have entered a new stage of development. Scientific research will play an important role in exploring future developements, and organizing new modes for teaching systems, resources and technical support.

To study the issue of the input and output of scientific research in the Open University of China, data for the years 2008–13 were used. The selected research input index was the scientific research funding in the University; and the output index was the number of papers published with funding support, the number of citations of the papers, and the number of papers published in core journals. Regression analysis was carried out. The results showed a positive correlation between funding and output: with the research funding increasing every year, the output of scientific research in the University also rose substantially. However, the correlation between input and high-quality academic papers was lower. This study concludes by suggesting that the University should increase its research funding to enhance research ability and increase the output, thus raising its academic status. Meanwhile, in the research achievement evaluation system, the University should adjust the target for research funding; regulate its use and supervise it strictly to encourage a high-quality research output.