The BioSpectrum Top 20 Biotech Schools study includes institutions offering BTech, Masters and PhD courses (Excludes BSc courses). This study was conducted during February-March 2013. The ranking is based on measurable and quantifiable data. The research team did not seek perceptions and opinions of stakeholders such as students or industry to rank the institutes. BioSpectrum team sent questionnaires to over 300 institutes and followed up with them.
Step-I: Identification of parameters for ranking of the institutes
Like the previous year's studies, the parameters suitable for ranking of the institutes were identified in consultation with experts from the industry, education and R&D. Over 10 experts were consulted. Faculty, industry interface, infrastructure and placements emerged as the most important parameters.
Step-II: Ranking on the basis of the parameters
Structured questionnaire was used to take opinion on relative importance of the four parameters prior to the study. Their opinion was sought for deciding on weights to be assigned to each parameter.
The following means emerged based on data received from experts: Faculty, infrastructure, and industry interaction had emerged as the three most important parameters ahead of placement.
Step-III: Data collection, analysis and ranking of the institutes
A pre-tested structured questionnaire was sent to directors, principals and deans of biotech institutes by the BioSpectrum team. BioSpectrum scrutinized and validated the responses given by the institutes for accuracy, consistency and sufficiency of the data, data entry, analysis of the data and ranking of the institutes.