Personal Research Database

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 217.pdf

Abstract: The hypothesis proposed by the author expresses that Zipf’s law is only fulfilled on rank distributions which correspond to highly integrated (closed) subject fields. This hypothesis was tested on vast amount of empirical data. It was shown that document files in integrated fields are characterised by thematic, chronological (and sometimes geographical) closedness, as well as closedness by citation. Relationships were found between empirical facts usually considered in isolation within the frameworks of different scientometric and bibliometric theories (the theory of information concentration and scattering, obsolescence theory, theory of changing source productivity).

? Pravdic, N. and Pekorari, R. (1985), The citing practices of the authors to the national journals in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Scientometrics, 8 (3-4), 233-246.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 233.pdf

Abstract: In this essentially empirical study a comparative analysis of the age of references in scientific papers in three subject fields is performed. Comparisons ate made: 1. Among national and leading journals in the same scientific field, 2.for a number of high quality journals in physics and chemistry, and 3. between several groups of authors (according to the countries of origin), contributing to the same journals in chemistry, variations found in the journals ‘citing half-life’ values suggest that, if properly interpreted, the citing half-life might reflect the journal’s quality and might serve as a certain indicator for the citing practices of specific groups of authors.

Note: TTopic

? Rothman, H. and Lester, G. (1985), The use of bibliometric indicators in the study of insecticide research. Scientometrics, 8 (3-4), 247-262.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 247.pdf

Abstract: This paper reports part of a historical study of insecticide development. We analysed accumulated references to specific insecticide groups in text books, and index references to a large number of specific insecticides in the Review of Applied Entomology (Ser. A) over the period 1916-1970. The paper describes our techniques for analysing the resulting research publication growth curves for these compounds. Our data did not fit the ‘classical’ S-curves, and possible explanations for this are discussed. Bibliometric time series data may exhibit various inconsistencies, and we describe an approach to handling such ‘dirty data’. We concluded that, our quantitative approach produces a picture of the development of insecticides that fits the accepted view derived by qualitative historiography, is very sensitive to trends in pesticide research, and might be a useful adjunct to technology forecasting as well as to historical studies.

Keywords: Science

Arunachalam, S. and Hirannaiah, S. (1985), Has journal of astrophysics and astronomy a future. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 3-11.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 3.pdf

Abstract: A numbqr of new science journals are born every year. Many of them survive for a long time but do not make a significant impact on the subjects which they try to serve. There are others which make an impression right from their first issues. In the last decade several new journals have been started in India, many of them by the Indian Academy of Sciences. The first of these new journals, Pramgna, which was established in 1973, turned out to be a good national medium for Indian physicists but has so far failed to achieve the high international standing aimed at by its founders. The NationaI Academy of Sciences Letters. started by another academy of sciences, proved to be a non-starter as far as international standing is concerned. In 1980 astronomers and astrophysicists in India sought and obtained a medium for themselves, thanks to the cooperation of the Indian Academy of Sciences which agreed to publish an inexpensive quarterly journal. The first issue of Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy appeared in September 1980.

? Szabo, A.T. (1985), Decandolle, alphonse early scientometrics (1883, 1885) with references to recent trends in the field (1978-1983). Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 13-33.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 13.pdf

Abstract: De Candolle analyzed in 1883 and 1885, respectively two important fields of human cultural evolution: the domestication of crop plants and the emergence of modern science. In his Histoire de science et des savants depuis deux sciecles, principles were established, science indicators outlined, interactions examined and mathematical methods applied to the study of a selected data set related to scientific development. In order to compare national and international scientific communities twenty standard factors were considered and national participation in international scientific societies was analysed for 14 European countries and the United States. De Candolle was the first to analyse mathematically the number, dynamics and national distribution of scientists in their professional organisations, the specialization and professionalization of scientists and characterized the scientific potential of different countries with the number of international science society members per inhabitant per period (1750-1884). The role of de Candolle as a forerunner of modern scientometrics and the science of science is revealed in a comparison of his work with recent trends. In the first five volumes of the journal Scientometrics 51 papers were identified dealing with topics related to those dealt with by de Candolle.

Keywords: Scientometrics

? Shrum, W. (1985), Quality judgments of technical fields: Bias, marginality, and the role of the elite. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 35-57.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 35.pdf

Abstract: Most accounts of scientific and technological development stress the importance of quality judgments for particular technical fields. This study investigates social psychological and: structural factors associated with such judgments for nineteen fields in nuclear waste and solar cell research. The results of the analysis indicate a tendency toward positive bias for fields in which researchers have been active, for this bias to be stronger in less innovative fields, and for elite membership to affect this bias in different ways depending on the nature of the system. In addition, there was no tendency for those with a high level of social contacts to others working in a field to display a positive bias, except in consensually innovative fields.

? Zhao, H.Z. and Jiang, G.H. (1985), Shifting of worlds’ scientific center and scientists’ social ages. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 59-80

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 59.pdf

Abstract: This paper proposes to take the age at which a scientist achieved his first success as his famous-becoming age, uses a statistical method to obtaine the optimum age of scientists for making scientific discoveries, uses the same to find the experiential formula that explains the relationship between the number of scientific achievement and the number of scientists and their ages. Employing this formula, it expounds to some extent the Yuasa Phenomenon. For conclusion it analyzes the scientific value of experiential formula and the reliability of its scope of prediction.

? Balog, C. (1985), Agricultural-research in New-Zealand. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 81-89.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 81.pdf

Abstract: A study of the subject areas of pacts published in New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research shows that there has been little variation in the major areas of agrieultttral research over 21 years. In a specific area of research, the use and effects of fertflisers, there is little change in the number of papers published on this subject until 1972 when there is a slight decrease in the number of published articles.

? Swales, J.M. (1985), English-language papers and authors 1st language: Preliminary explorations. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 91-101.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 91.pdf

Abstract: The paper argues for greater linguistic sensitivity in seientometric research, discusses Baldauf and Jernudd, ^11~13 and raises issues of North/South, English/non-English imbalance in research communication. It then proposes a procedure for identifying native/non-native speaker status of authors in English periodical literature on textual evidence. Preliminary application to 623 articles is reported and evaluated. The Health Science NNS percentage was 23%, in Economics half tliat. In both there were few papers of Third World provenance, thus supporting Baldaufand Jernudd. It is suggested that Scientometries could contribute to the teaching of Research English, against a background of adjusting suspected imbalance.

? Davies, B.R. and Lazniarz, J.M. (1985), A site selection model for high technology manufacturing firms in the United-States. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 103-116.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 103.pdf

Abstract: This article offers a quantitative model for site selection by high technology manufacturing firms. In the past, site selection studies have usually been qualitative in nature, and very subjective. This is an attempt to introduce a more objective quantitative approach. The site selection factors most important to high technology manufacturing firms were identified, ranked and weighted based on a US Joint Economic Committee survey of such firms. The eight most important factors were: the availability of technical and professional workers, labor costs, tax climate, academic institutions, cost of living, transportation for people, and access to markets. Demographic data on these factors were collected and analyzed for 32 developing high technology areas in the United States. By using the quantitative model, a score was developed for each area, allowing them to be ranked as R & D manufacturing environments. This model should prove a useful tool for both regional planners and high-tech companies seeking to relocate.

Keywords: United States

Amir, S. (1985), On the degree of interdisciplinarity of research programs: A quantitative assessment. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 117-136.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 117.pdf

Abstract: It is widely maintained that the study of policy alternatives, particularly if they are associated with introducing new tehcnologies that may engender vast social and environmental repercussions, ought to be interdisciplinary. There is, however, much confusion in the literature as to what exactly is meant by the term interdisciplinary. In the present paper, we quantitatively assess the extent of interdisciplinarity of studies and of research programs. First, we propose several working definitions of the concept of interdisciplinarity. Second, we consider the construction of indicators that quantify these definitions. Third, as an example, we examine whether or not a given policy oriented research program is truly interdisciplinary.

? Schubert, A. (1985), Quantitative studies of science: A current bibliography. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 137-140.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 137.pdf

? Moravcsik, M.J. (1985), How the laws of physics lie: Cartwright, N. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 141-142.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 141.pdf

Abstract:

? Moravcsik, M.J. (1985), Science and scientific researchers in modern society: Dickinson, JP. Scientometrics, 8 (1-2), 143.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 143.pdf

Aloni, M. (1985), Patterns of information transfer among engineers and applied scientists in complex organizations: A partial review. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 279-300.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 279.pdf

Abstract: This review discusses studies of informal communication of scientific and technical information published in the American management literature between 1976 and 1982. While investigated formerly by information scientists, the subject has been mentioned only infrequently in the literature and abstracts of information science in recent years. Management scientists view the informal information transfer as a special type of organizational communication. Among the papers reviewed, special attention is accorded to the publications by Tushman who has extended and developed Allen’s approach. The implications of the insights gained for the information worker and information scientist are discussed in the conclusions.

Note: CCountry

Arunachalam, S. and Garg, K.C. (1985), A small country in a world of big science: A preliminary bibliometric study of science in Singapore. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 301-313.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 301.pdf

Abstract: An analysis of 258 papers published from Singapore and covered in Science Citation Index (SCI) 1979 and 1980 indicates that (1) much of R&D in Singapore pertains to medical research, (2) almost all the papers are published in English language periodicals published from the western world, (3) nearly two-thirds of Singapore’s publication output is accounted for by the University of Singapore, and (4) by the large papers from Singapore are rarely cited, even if many of them have appeared in journals having impact factor greater than one.

? Diamond, A.M. (1985), The money value of citations to single-authored and multiple-authored articles. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 315-320.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 315.pdf

Abstract: This note presents evidence for the surprising conclusion that a citation to a multiple-authored article is worth more to its author than a citation to a single-authored article.

? Small, H., Sweeney, E. and Greenlee, E. (1985), Clustering the Science Citation Index using co-citations. 2. Mapping science. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 321-340.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 321.pdf

Abstract: Previous attempts to map science using the co-citation clustering methodology are reviewed, and their shortcomings analyzed. Two enhancements of the methodology presented in Part I of the paper-fractional citation counting and variable level clusteringare briefly described and a third enhancement, the iterative clustering of clusters, is introduced. When combined, these three techniques improve our ability to generate comprehensive and representative mappings of science across the multidisciplinary Science Citation Index (SCI) data base. Results of a four step analysis of the 1979 SCI are presented, and the resulting map at the fourth iteration is described in detail. The map shows a tightly integrated network of approximate disciplinary regions, unique in that for the first time links between mathematics and biomedical science have brought about a closure of the previously linear arrangement of disciplines. Disciplinary balance between biomedical and physical science has improved, and the appearance of less cited subject areas, such as mathematics and applied science, makes this map the most comprehensive one yet produced by the co-citation methodology. Remaining problems and goals for future work are discussed.

Keywords: Science Citation Index

? Doreian, P. (1985), A measure of standing of journals in stratified networks. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 341-363.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 341.pdf

Abstract: The concept of a stratified journal network is advanced where the nodes are journals and the relation is citation aggregated over the articles in these journals. The standing of the journals in the network can be measured through tools based on input-output models. These measures can be used to chart the changing status of journals at different time points.

Note: CCountry

? Sengupta, I.N. (1985), The growth of biophysical literature. Scientometrics, 8 (5-6), 365-376.

Full Text: 1985\Scientometrics8, 365.pdf

Abstract: The enormous growth of biophysical literature has created great difficulties in tracking out the significant literature of the subject. To cope with this unprecedented growth of literature, a new bibliometric technique has been applied to rank periodicals in the field based on 4228 citation data collected from the bibliographic data base published in the source journal namely, Annual Review of Biophysics. This list is expected to reflect the impact of literature on the advancement of knowledge in the field of biophysics. A striking feature of the ranking list is the high positions occupied by multidisciplinary science journals and biochemical journals as compared to journals exclusively and specifically devoted to biophysics or any particular aspects of it. Other remarkable findings are the wide scatter of biophysics literature, dominance of the USA journals and status attained by English as the preferred medium of communications of the working biophysicists. The data are also analysed according to subject categorization of the ranked periodicals. The results of the present study have been discussed in relation to Bradford’s Law of Scattering and validity of the extension of the law, suggested earlier, has been well established. It is expected that the present ranking list will enable the working biophysicists to select journals from the viewpoint of their significance to the active areas of present-day biophysical research.

? Snizek, W.E. (1986), A reexamination of the ortega hypothesis: The Dutch case. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 3-11.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 3.pdf

Abstract: Using data collected for a sample of 69 Dutch physicists, the present study employs a. multivariate approach in order to re-examine the Ortega hypothesis. Stated succinctly, the Ortega hypothesis maintains that, in large measure, science has progressed through the efforts of many quite average scientists. Based on a combined citation search of 2763 source and reference authors, eminent scientists are shown to cite other eminent scientists, although not to the extent reported among American physicists in earlier research by the Coles. The tendency for eminent scientists to cite other eminent scientists is a rather recent occurrence in The Netherlands, and may signal a major trend in the differential allocation of facilities and resources .which, in turn, impact on the development of science in that country. In addition to the citation rate of source author’s year of article’s publication and length of source author’s professional experience, are also shown to be significantly related to the eminence of reference authors cited, thereby signaling caution concerning rejection of the Ortega hypothesis.

? Lawani, S.M. (1986), Some bibliometric correlates of quality in scientific research. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 13-26.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 13.pdf

Abstract: The following kinds of data were collected on three samples of cancer research literature representing three levels of quality: (1) collaboration as measured by the number of authors per paper, (2) quantitative productivity of countries, (3) diachronous citations covering the first five years of publicaiton, (4) total self-citations, (5) proportions of self-citations made by first-named authors, and (6) the extent of dispersion of articles among journals. Analyses showed that as the number of authors per paper increases, the proportion of high quality papers also increases and the Collaborative Index can be used to measure quality in the aggregate. It was found that the quantity and quality of cancer research done in a country are positively related. All analyses of the citation data confirmed the hypotheses that highly rated papers are significantly more highly cited than average papers and the rates of uncitedness decline with quality. The proportion of self-citations to total citations decreases with increasing quality and, on average, first-named authors of quality papers cite them proportionally fewer times than first-named authors of run-of-the-mill papers do. This study also shows that, as quality increases, the extent of literature scatter or dispersion increases.

? Zhao, H.Z. and Jiang, G.H. (1986), Life-Span and precocity of scientists. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 27-36.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 27.pdf

Abstract: Studies on the life-span of past scientists according to data of the Chronicle of Major Events of Natural Sciences have found that the age of optimum peak value of scientific discovery is about half the peak value of their life-span. Achievements of those scientists who made a name before 25 years old are 44 percent more than average and their life efficiency is 1.7 times that of the average. Therefore it is an effective measure to train precocious scientists for a nation in her strive to catch up with or surpass world level in science.

? Frijdal, A. and Degreve, J.P. (1986), Communication activities in scientific disciplines in Belgium. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 37-49.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 37.pdf

Abstract: The communication behaviour of Belgian university scientists is investigated over the period of 1977-1979. For 5 broad scientific domains the general characteristics are given and the distribution of the scientists over groups with 1 to 20 communications per three year is discussed. For two domains, Arts and Basic Sciences, an analysis is given of constituent disciplines. The present investigation presents a background profile of the communication activities, enabling evaluation of extreme activity in the disciplines discussed.

Keywords: Belgium

? Balog, C. (1986), Information-flow to genetics journals. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 51-57.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 51.pdf

Abstract: The origin of information for 5 genetics journals was traced for the years 1975, 1978 and 1982. Maps of the interrelationships between cited journals indicate that the information for genetics journals originates with the biochemical journals and passes down to the genetics journals via the multidisciptinary science journals. The 5 genetics journals can be divided into 2 levels: Level 1 - those journals that never cite each other but cite level 2 journals, Level 2 - those journals that serve as a source of information for level 1 journals. The use of level 2 journals by level 1 journals declines from 1975 to 1982 because of a decline in citations by two of the level 1 journals.

? Pontigo, J. and Lancaster, F.W. (1986), Qualitative aspects of the Bradford distribution. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 59-70.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 59.pdf

Abstract: A study was performed to determine whether the quality of journal articles declines as one moves through successively less productive Bradford zones. Two measures of quality - rate of citation and expert judgement - were used. It was found that articles in the least productive zone were cited significantly less than those in the most productive zone. However, experts did not judge them to be of lesser quality.

? Velho, L. (1986), The meaning of citation in the context of a scientifically peripheral country. Scientometrics, 9 (1-2), 71-89.

Full Text: 1986\Scientometrics9, 71.pdf

Abstract: This paper reports an investigation into the referencing pattern of Brazilian agricultural scientists. The study was based on the use of both quantitative data - citations appearing in a sizeable sample of articles pubhshed by these scientists - and qualitative data – interviews with a large number of scientists who authored the source papers. The aim was to explore the extent to which citation counts may be taken as valid indicators of the quality, influence or impact of pubhshed scientific knowledge in the general context of a scientifically peripheral country. The findings presented confirm the view that in this context, citation patterns are significantly influenced by factors ‘external’ to the scientific realm and, thus, reflect neither simply the quality, influence nor even the impact of the research work referred to.

? Nalimov, V.V. (1986), Theories of research, Vol -I-II - Nowakowska, M. Scientometrics,