Personal Research Database

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 65.pdf

Abstract: Using strictly the same parameters (identical two publication years (2004 2005) and identical one-year citation window (2006)), IF 2006 was compared with h-index 2006 for two samples of “Pharmacology and Pharmacy” and “Psychiatry” journals computed from the ISI Web of Science. For the two samples, the IF and the h-index rankings of the journals are very different. The correlation coefficient between the IF and the h-index is high for Psychiatry but lower for Pharmacology. The linearity test performed between the h-index and IF alpha/alpha+1.n(1/alpha+1) showed the great sensitivity of the model compared with alpha. The IF and h-index can be completely complementary when evaluating journals of the same scientific discipline.

Keywords: Citation, Correlation, h Index, h-Index, Hirsch Index, IF, Impact, Impact Factor, ISI, ISI Web, ISI Web of Science, Journal Impact Factor, Journal Ranking, Journals, Model, Parameters, Pharmacology, Psychiatry, Publication, Rankings, Science, Web of Science

? Yu, G., Wang, M.Y. and Yu, D.R. (2010), Characterizing knowledge diffusion of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology by citation analysis. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 81-97.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 81.pdf

Abstract: This study investigates the knowledge diffusion patterns of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (N&N) by analyzing the overall research interactions between N&N and nano-related subjects through citation analysis. Three perspectives were investigated to achieve this purpose. Firstly, the overall research interactions were analyzed to identify the dominant driving forces in advancing the development of N&N. Secondly, the knowledge diffusion intensity between N&N and nano-related subjects was investigated to determine the areas most closely related to N&N. Thirdly, the diffusion speed was identified to detect the time distance of knowledge diffusion between N&N and nano-related subjects. The analysis reveals that driving forces from the outside environment rather than within N&N itself make the foremost contributions to the development of N&N. From 1998 to 2007, Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, N&N, Electrical & Electronic and Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering are the key contributory and reference subjects for N&N. Knowledge transfer within N&N itself is the quickest. And the speed of knowledge diffusion from other subjects to N&N is slower than that from N&N to other subjects, demonstrating asymmetry of knowledge diffusion in the development of N&N. The results indicate that N&N has matured into a relatively open, diffuse and dynamic system of interactive subjects.

Keywords: Asymmetry, Chemistry, Citation, Citation Analysis, Development, Diffusion, Environment, Exploration, Field, Flows, Impact Factors, Knowledge, Knowledge Diffusion, Nanoscience, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology, Patent Citations, Physics, Publication Delays, Research, Science, Scientific Literature, System, Technology, Weak Ties

? Oswald, A.J. (2010), A suggested method for the measurement of world-leading research (illustrated with data on economics). Scientometrics, 84 (1), 99-113.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 99.pdf

Abstract: Countries often spend billions on university research. There is growing interest in how to assess whether that money is well spent. Is there an objective way to assess the quality of a nation’s world-leading science? I suggest a method, and illustrate it with data on economics. Of 450 genuinely world-leading journal articles, the UK produced 10% and the rest of Europe slightly more. Interestingly, more than a quarter of these UK articles came from outside the best-known university departments. The proposed methodology could be applied to almost any academic discipline or nation.

Keywords: Academic Discipline, Articles, Citation Counts, Citations, Economics, Europe, European Economics, Evaluation, Journal, Journals, Measurement, Methodology, Peer-Review, Quality, Research, Research Assessment Exercise (Rae), Research Excellence Framework (Ref), Science, Science, UK, United Kingdom, University, University Research

? Egghe, L. (2010), On the relation between Schubert’s h-index of a single paper and its total number of received citations. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 115-117.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 115.pdf

Abstract: A relation, established by Andras Schubert (Scientometrics 78(3): 559-565, 2009) on the relation between a paper’s h-index and its total number of received citations, is explained. The relation is a concavely increasing power law and is explained based on the Lotkaian model for the h-index, proved by Egghe and Rousseau.

Keywords: Citations, h Index, h-Index, Hirsch-Index, Model, Power Law, Scientometrics, Single Paper h-Index, Single Paper Hirsch-Index

? Lin, C.H. and Jang, S.L. (2010), The impact of M&As on company innovation: evidence from the US medical device industry. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 119-131.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 119.pdf

Abstract: The acquisition of new technologies represents a vitally important and fundamental goal of many corporate managers, particularly those within the medical device industry. We collect data on ten medical device companies as our sample in this study, covering the period from 1990 to 2006, this sample is drawn from the top 20 companies in the US, on the basis of international sales performance. We also collect details on all of the acquisitions undertaken by these companies, along with their patenting performance. The empirical results of this study suggest that technological acquisitions are only likely to be of help to the acquiring firms, in terms of improving their innovative performance, if they set out to acquire those companies that are in similar proximity, in terms of their technological field. There is also a clear need for such acquiring firms to ensure their continuing commitment to internal R&D investment in order to maintain their own versatility.

Keywords: Biotechnology Industry, Empirical-Analysis, Firms, Impact, Industry, Innovation, International, M&A, Medical, Patent Diversity, Patent Stock, Performance, R&D, Strategies, US, US Medical Device Industry

? Schubert, A. (2010), A reference-based Hirschian similarity measure for journals. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 133-147.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 133.pdf

Abstract: Hirsch’s concept of h-index was used to define a similarity measure for journals. The h-similarity is easy to calculate from the publicly available data of the Journal Citation Reports, and allows for plausible interpretation. On the basis of h-similarity, a relative eminence indicator of journals was determined: the ratio of the JCR impact factor to the weighted average of that of similar journals. This standardization allows journals from disciplines with lower average citation level (mathematics, engineering, etc.) to get into the top lists.

Keywords: Citation, Citation Analysis, Citation-Reports, Cocitation Analysis, Engineering, h Index, h-Index, h-Similarity, Impact, Impact Factor, Impact Factors, Index, Interpretation, Journal Citation Reports, Journals, Lists, Mathematics, Networks, Relatedness, Science, Scientific Journals, Similarity, Standardized Impact Factor

? Prathap, G. (2010), Going much beyond the Durfee square: enhancing the h (T) index. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 149-152.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 149.pdf

Abstract: The h-index is now used almost as a canonical tool for research assessment of individuals, research faculties and institutions and even for comparing performance of journals and countries. However, its limitations have also been noticed and many Hirsch-type variants have been proposed. In this paper, a “mock h-index” which was recently proposed is compared with the “tapered h-index”.

Keywords: Assessment, Bibliometrics, Corrected Quality Ratio, h Index, h-Index, Hirsch-Type Indexes, Indicators, Journals, Mock h-Index, Output, Performance, Research, Research Assessment, Tapered h-Index

? Prathap, G. (2010), Is there a place for a mock h-index? Scientometrics, 84 (1), 153-165.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 153.pdf

Abstract: The h-index has captured the imagination of scientometricians and bibliometricians to such an extent that one can now divide the history of the subject virtually into a pre-Hirsch and a post-Hirsch period. Beyond its academic value, it is now used as a tool for research assessment of individuals, research faculties and institutions and even for comparing performance of journals and countries. Since its introduction, many Hirsch-type variants have been proposed to overcome perceived limitations of the original index. In this paper, using ideas from mathematical modeling, another mock h-index is proposed which may complement the h-index and give it better resolving power.

Keywords: Assessment, Bibliometrics, Corrected Quality Ratio, h Index, h-Index, Hirsch-Type Indexes, History, Journals, Mathematical Modeling, Mock h-Index, Modeling, Performance, Research, Research Assessment, Science

? Prathap, G. (2010), The 100 most prolific economists using the p-index. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 167-172.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 167.pdf

Abstract: In this paper, a new indicator called the performance index (p-index) is used to rank a 100 most prolific economists. The p-index strikes the best balance between activity (total citations C) and excellence (mean citation rate C/P). The surprise is that the h-index, which is now universally accepted almost as a canonical tool for research assessment of individuals, research faculties and institutions and even for comparing performance of journals and countries, is actually a poor indicator of performance.

Keywords: Assessment, Bibliometrics, Citation, Citations, g-Index, h Index, h-Index, h-Index, Hirsch-Type Indexes, Indicators, Journals, Output, p-Index, Performance, Research, Research Assessment

? Abramo, G., D’Angelo, C.A. and Solazzi, M. (2010), Assessing public-private research collaboration: Is it possible to compare university performance? Scientometrics, 84 (1), 173-197.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 173.pdf

Abstract: It is widely recognized that collaboration between the public and private research sectors should be stimulated and supported, as a means of favoring innovation and regional development. This work takes a bibliometric approach, based on co-authorship of scientific publications, to propose a model for comparative measurement of the performance of public research institutions in collaboration with the domestic industry collaboration with the private sector. The model relies on an identification and disambiguation algorithm developed by the authors to link each publication to its real authors. An example of application of the model is given, for the case of the academic system and private enterprises in Italy. The study demonstrates that for each scientific discipline and each national administrative region, it is possible to measure the performance of individual universities in both intra-regional and extra-regional collaboration, normalized with respect to advantages of location. Such results may be useful in informing regional policies and merit-based public funding of research organizations.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometrics, Co-Authorship, Co-Authorships, Collaboration, Development, Flows, Funding, Identification, Industry, Industry Interaction, Innovation, Italy, Knowledge Spillovers, Measurement, Model, Performance, Public Funding of Research, Public Research, Publication, Publications, Regional, Research, Research Collaboration, Research Institutions, Research Productivity, Science, Scientific Publications, System, Universities, University, University-Industry Research Collaboration

? Hypponen, K. and Paganuzzi, V.M. (2010), Computer science research articles: the locations of different section types, and a proposal for standardization in the structure. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 199-220.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 199.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the structure of computer science research articles published in the Lecture Notes of Computer Science series. While it is clear that most articles start with an Introduction and end with a Conclusion, the structure of text between these two sections is rather diverse. We studied the positions of different section types, and analysed dependencies between them. As a result, we present a number of common patterns used by writers, and make suggestions on how to improve the presentation of research in computer science.

Keywords: Articles, Computer, Computer Science, Linguistics, Presentation of Research, Research, Research Article, Science, Standardisation, Structure

? Zuccala, A. (2010), The mathematical review system: Does reviewer status play a role in the citation process? Scientometrics, 84 (1), 221-235.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 221.pdf

Abstract: This paper revisits an aspect of citation theory (i.e., citer motivation) with respect to the Mathematical Review system and the reviewer’s role in mathematics. We focus on a set of journal articles (369) published in Singularity Theory (1974-2003), the mathematicians who wrote editorial reviews for these articles, and the number of citations each reviewed article received within a 5 year period. Our research hypothesis is that the cognitive authority of a high status reviewer plays a positive role in how well a new article is received and cited by others. Bibliometric evidence points to the contrary: Singularity Theorists of lower status (junior researchers) have reviewed slightly more well-cited articles (2-5 citations, excluding author self-citations) than their higher status counterparts (senior researchers). One explanation for this result is that lower status researchers may have been asked to review ‘trendy’ or more accessible parts of mathematics, which are easier to use and cite. We offer further explanations and discuss a number of implications for a theory of citation in mathematics. This research opens the door for comparisons to other editorial review systems, such as book reviews written in the social sciences or humanities.

Keywords: Articles, Bibliometric, Citation, Citation Theory, Citations, Citer Motivation, Editorial Reviews, Humanities, Journal, Mathematics, Play, Positive, Research, Researchers, Review, Science, Self-Citations, Social Sciences, Sociology, System, Theory

? Billaut, J.C., Bouyssou, D. and Vincke, P. (2010), Should you believe in the Shanghai ranking? Scientometrics, 84 (1), 237-263.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 237.pdf

Abstract: This paper proposes a critical analysis of the “Academic Ranking of World Universities”, published every year by the Institute of Higher Education of the Jiao Tong University in Shanghai and more commonly known as the Shanghai ranking. After having recalled how the ranking is built, we first discuss the relevance of the criteria and then analyze the proposed aggregation method. Our analysis uses tools and concepts from Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Our main conclusions are that the criteria that are used are not relevant, that the aggregation methodology is plagued by a number of major problems and that the whole exercise suffers from an insufficient attention paid to fundamental structuring issues. Hence, our view is that the Shanghai ranking, in spite of the media coverage it receives, does not qualify as a useful and pertinent tool to discuss the “quality” of academic institutions, let alone to guide the choice of students and family or to promote reforms of higher education systems. We outline the type of work that should be undertaken to offer sound alternatives to the Shanghai ranking.

Keywords: Academic Ranking, Attention, Bibliometric Methods, Coverage, Criteria, DEA, Decision-Making Units, Education, Evaluation Models, Exercise, Fatal Attraction, Higher Education, Index, League Tables, Methodology, Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis, National Research Performance, Ranking, Shanghai, Shanghai Ranking, Tools, University, University Rankings, World Universities

? Chen, J.H., Jang, S.L. and Wen, S.H. (2010), Measuring technological diversification: identifying the effects of patent scale and patent scope. Scientometrics, 84 (1), 265-275.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 265.pdf

Abstract: Although technological diversification is an important strategic decision for both large and small firms alike, the conventional method of measuring such diversification may well introduce significant scale bias against small- and medium-sized firms. We examine this issue in this study using a sample of 73 Taiwanese integrated-circuit (IC) design firms covering the period from 1995 to 2007 and conclude that the conventional measure of technological diversification reflects the spread or distribution amongst technology classes of a company’s current technology portfolio, and does not capture the incremental expansion in technological scope, or the ‘dynamic act of diversification’, as reflected in our alternative scope measure. Our results suggest clear constraints on the applications made under the conventional index, particularly for firms with small patent scale.

Keywords: Applications, Bias, Distribution, Effects, Expansion, Field, Firms, IC Design Firms, Innovation, Patent, Patent Scope, Performance, Scale, Technological Diversification, Technology

? Schultz, D.M. (2010), Are three heads better than two? How the number of reviewers and editor behavior affect the rejection rate. Scientometrics, 84 (2), 277-292.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 277.pdf

Abstract: Editors of peer-reviewed journals obtain recommendations from peer reviewers as guidance in deciding upon the suitability of a submitted manuscript for publication. To investigate whether the number of reviewers used by an editor affects the rate at which manuscripts are rejected, 500 manuscripts submitted to Monthly Weather Review during 15.5 months in 2007-2008 were examined. Two and three reviewers were used for 306 and 155 manuscripts, respectively (92.2% of all manuscripts). Rejection rates for initial decisions and final decisions were not significantly different whether two or three reviewers were used. Manuscripts with more reviewers did not spend more rounds in review or have different rejection rates at each round. The results varied by editor, however, with some editors rejecting more two-reviewer manuscripts and others rejecting more three-reviewer manuscripts. Editors described using their scientific expertise in the decision-making process, either in determining the number of reviews to be sought or in making decisions once the reviews were received, approaches that differ from that of relying purely upon reviewer agreement as reported previously in the literature. A simple model is constructed for three decision-making strategies for editors: rejection when all reviewers recommend rejection, rejection when any reviewer recommends rejection, and rejection when a majority of reviewers recommend rejection. By plotting the probability of reviewer rejection against the probability of editor rejection, the decision-making process can be graphically illustrated, demonstrating that, for this dataset, editors are likely to reject a manuscript when any reviewer recommends rejection.

Keywords: Editor, Editors, Journal, Journals, Literature, Manuscripts, Model, Monthly Weather Review, Peer Review, Publication, Rejection, Reliability, Review, Reviewer Agreement, Rounds of Reviews

? Zhao, D.Z. (2010), Characteristics and impact of grant-funded research: A case study of the library and information science field. Scientometrics, 84 (2), 293-306.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 293.pdf

Abstract: This paper reports on a bibliometric study of the characteristics and impact of research in the library and information science (LIS) field which was funded through research grant programs, and compares it with research that received no extra funding. Seven core LIS journals were examined to identify articles published in 1998 that acknowledge research grant funding. The distribution of these articles by various criteria (e.g., topic, affiliation, funding agency) was determined. Their impact as indicated by citation counts during 1998-2008 was evaluated against that of articles without acknowledging extra funding and published in the same journals in the same year using citation data collected from Scopus’ Citation Tracker. The impact of grant-funded research as measured by citation counts was substantially higher than that of other research, both overall and in each journal individually. Scholars from outside LIS core institutions contributed heavily to grant-funded research. The two highest-impact publications by far reported non-grant-based research, and grant-based funding of research reported in core LIS journals was biased towards the information retrieval (IR) area, particularly towards research on IR systems. The percentage of articles reporting grant-funded research was substantially higher in information-oriented journals than in library-focused ones.

Keywords: Affiliation, Articles, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Study, Characteristics, Citation, Citation Analysis, Citation Counts, Core, Criteria, Distribution, Funding, Highest Impact, Impact, Information Retrieval, Information Science, IR, Journal, Journals, Library and Information Science, LIS, Publications, Research, Research Evaluation, Research Funding, Research Policy, Science, Scientific Collaboration, Scopus, Topic

? Pautasso, M. and Schafer, H. (2010), Peer review delay and selectivity in ecology journals. Scientometrics, 84 (2), 307-315.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 307.pdf

Abstract: Peer review is fundamental to science as we know it, but is also a source of delay in getting discoveries communicated to the world. Researchers have investigated the effectiveness and bias of various forms of peer review, but little attention has been paid to the relationships among journal reputation, rejection rate, number of submissions received and time from submission to acceptance. In 22 ecology/interdisciplinary journals for which data could be retrieved, higher impact factor is positively associated with the number of submissions. However, higher impact factor journals tend to be significantly quicker in moving from submission to acceptance so that journals which receive more submissions are not those which take longer to get them through the peer review and revision processes. Rejection rates are remarkably high throughout the journals analyzed, but tend to increase with increasing impact factor and with number of submissions. Plausible causes and consequences of these relationships for journals, authors and peer reviewers are discussed.

Keywords: Attention, Bias, Editorial Rejection, Effectiveness, Impact, Impact Factor, Journal, Journals, Peer Review, Peer-Review, Peer-Reviewed Literature, Publication, Publish or Perish, Quality Control, Rejection, Review, Science, Scientific Technological and Medical (STM) Publishing, Selectivity, Standing of a Journal

? Derrick, G.E., Sturk, H., Haynes, A.S., Chapman, S. and Hall, W.D. (2010), A cautionary bibliometric tale of two cities. Scientometrics, 84 (2), 317-320.

Full Text: 2010\Scientometrics84, 317.pdf

Abstract: Reliability of citation searches is a cornerstone of bibliometric research. The authors compare simultaneous search returns at two sites to demonstrate discrepancies that can occur as a result of differences in institutional subscriptions to the Web of Science and Web of Knowledge. Such discrepancies may have significant implications for the reliability of bibliometric research in general, but also for the calculation of individual and group indices used for promotion and funding decisions. The authors caution care when describing the methods used in bibliometric analysis and when evaluating researchers from different institutions. In both situations a description of the specific databases used would enable greater reliability.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometric Analysis, Bibliometric Research, Citation, Citation Analysis, Databases, Evaluative Bibliometrics, Funding, Impact, Index, Institutional Subscriptions, Knowledge, Methods, Promotion, Publication, Reliability, Research, Researchers, Science, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science

? Ortega, J.L. and Aguillo, I.F. (2010), Describing national science and technology systems through a multivariate approach: Country participation in the 6th Framework Programmes. Scientometrics,