Citation data as a proxy for quality or scientific influence are at best PAC (probably approximately correct)
Ronald Rousseau · Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology · 2015
In this communication I give a brief introduction to Valiant's probably approximately correct (PAC) theory, provide an extension that goes beyond Valiant's ideas (and beyond the domain for which this theory was meant), and come to an interpretation in terms of research evaluation. As such, PAC provides a framework for a theory of research evaluation.