Research Trajectories in Latin American Universities: A Multivariate and Plithogenic Analysis of Global Rankings

This study investigates Latin American universities' performance in global rankings through a multivariate, multitemporal approach across the elements of scientific productivity, research influence and internationalization. Subsequently applying HJ- Biplot and clustering analysis reveals the timeliness of differentiated institutional trajectories and the ascendance of structural clusters related to research capacity models. The data are derived from THE and QS rankings and SCImago and comprise the following elements: citations per professor, extremely cited articles, collaboration networks, quantity of grants submitted and more. Conclusions indicate that specific countries and universities of certain types not only yield heterogeneous outcomes but also require targeted measures to promote academic sustainability for the entire region. Moreover, the multivariate perspective provides a replicable methodological perspective by which quality can be measured overtime and its interface with institutional and socio- policymaking. Finally, the research includes Plithogenic Statistics to model the indeterminacy dynamics and disparities that emerge between the variables over time. This method, based on neutrosophic logic, extends the formulation of qualitative evaluations by ranking systems as it assesses worth based on the indeterminacy of university characteristics in Latin America.