How to boost your ratings

THES has published an article outlining the ways in which a researcher could increase their research ratings by manipulating citation counts within the proposed REF. Several senior academics have suggested ways in which citation counts could be increased, including:

• Not citing anyone else's research
• Not publishing in low citation rate journals
• Not engaging in research which is in a field not covered by the Thomas Scientific database as the output will not be visible
• Not reporting negative results as they are unlikely to be cited
• Joining a citation club

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=400516