QS utilizes a damping mechanism to spread large inter-annual swings in data. This has the effect both of minimizing the impact on rankings of these (possibly temporary) swings in data, and correcting for errors of interpretation in data submission.
Damping is applied when the current value (submitted by an institution or received from a third party this year) exceeds the previous value (used in the calculations last year, i.e. damped value) by more than the maximum accepted variation.
It is the underlying scores that are damped in the Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation indicators as we use normalized scores to calculate results. For other indicators we use underlying ratios or indices.
Weight
The weight of the indicator in the methodology.
Cap
Maximum underlying value to be scored.
Damping Threshold
The damping mechanism is only applied when the underlying values are above this threshold. Any underlying value below will not be affected.
Damping Type
Absolute: The indicator is damped by the absolute change.
Relative: The indicator is damped by the percentage change.
Recovery Increment
The rate QS accepts when the value exceeds the damping threshold.
Damping Limit
If the score / ratio of the indicator is below this number for both the previous and current year, damping will not be applied.
The following table provides a summary of the damping parameters used in the World University Rankings:
| Indicator | Type | Weight | Cap | Damping Threshold | Damping Type | Recovery Increment | Damping Limit |
| Academic Reputation | Survey | 30% | - | 5 | absolute | 10% | 15 |
| Employer Reputation | Survey | 15% | - | 3 | absolute | 10% | 4 |
| Faculty Student | Ratio | 10% | 0.3 | 0.05 | relative | 10% | 0.04 |
| Citations per Faculty | Ratio | 20% | - | 0.1 | relative | 20% | 2 |
| International Faculty | Ratio | 5% | 0.5 | 0.03 | absolute | 33% | 0.05 |
| International Students | Ratio | 5% | 0.5 | 0.03 | absolute | 33% | 0.05 |
| International Research Network (IRN) | Index | 5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sustainability | Index | 5% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Employment Outcomes | Index | 5% | - | - | - | - | - |
