Personal Research Database

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 289.pdf

Abstract: Knowledge and literature of neuroscience started growing steadily during the last few centuries. This paper a’mas to study the growth of knowledge in neuroscience as well as its literat~e. The first part of the paper, enumerates a historical survey of the growth of knowledge based on published data. This iS done in view of the fact that a consolidated information at one place will be of great value to the students of scientometrics and also to the research scholars who are desirous to undertake research in this discipline. The second part of the paper is entirely based on experimental data which were collected to analyse the growth of literature of the subject.

Neuroscience is notable for its wide range of approaches and techniques. In no other branch of research such a manysided approach is so essential. As a consequence last few decades have witnessed an accelerated research tempo and unprecedented growth of the literature on the subject covering its different sub-fields with gradual and systematic transgression of the conventional boundaries between them. To cope with the growth of literature, a new bibliometric technique has been applied to rank periodicals in the field based on 5785 citation data collected from the bibliographic data base published in the source journal namely, Annual Review of Neuroscience. It is expected that this list will reflect the impact of literature on the advancement of knowiedge in the field of neuroscience. A striking feature of this study is the comparatively small contribution (8.8%) coming from the application of biochemical techniques and concepts to neuroseienee research which differs from what we had noted earlier In the case of other biomedical disciplines. High position occupied by multidisciplinary science journals brings out the significance of new neuroscienee research to science as a whole and confirms the importance of this category of journals in the dissemination of knowledge for the overall growth of science. Relatively low proportion, of citations of journals of medicine, both general as well as specialities, in spite of direct relevance of much work in this field to neurological and mental illness reflects the preponderance of interest in the funcamental aspects of neuroscience research. Like other biomedical disciplines neuroscience literature also exhibits English as the most-preferred lingua franca of the subject, dominance of journals published from USA, UK, Germany and the Netherland, a wide scatter of cited literature showing the multidisciplinary approach characteristic of present-day neuroseience research.: The results of this study support Bradford’s Law of Scattering and also Sengupta’s Law of Bibliometrics. It is expected that the present ranking list will be of great help to the working neuroscientists to select a handful of core periodicals in the field for regular browsing from the viewpoint of their importance and significance as these core journals identify maximum segment of contemporary literature on the topics of direct relevance to their day to day research in the field.

? Nagpaul, P.S. and Gupta, S.P. (1989), Effect of professional competence, managerial role and status of group leaders to R and D performance. Scientometrics, 17 (3-4), 301-331.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 301.pdf

Abstract: This paper examines the following basic issues of leadership in research units: (1) characteristics of the leader and the functions performed by him that predict the image of his quality, and (2) the role of leadership in enhancing the performance of the research unit. Analysis is based on data collected on 1460 research units in six countries for the second round of International Comparative Study on Organization and Performance of Research Units. Variations in the characteristics and role of leadership in different institutional settings and countries are analyzed through POSCOR (ranking programme based on partially ordered sets). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to examine the common pattern of relationship of various indices of leadership with the image of leader’s quality and three measures of effectiveness - scientific, user-oriented and administrative. Analysis was repeated for each country to explore the stability in the pattern of relationships and to identify universal indices that have consistent relationships across countries. Implications of the results are discussed,

? Singh, P. and Krishnaiah, V.S.R. (1989), Analysis of work climate perceptions and performance of research and development units. Scientometrics, 17 (3-4), 333-351.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 333.pdf

Abstract: This paper reports findings from a study on the perceptions of work climate and the patters of relationships between work climate dimensions and performance of research and development units in six countries. The study is based on the analysis of the subset of date collected in Argentina, Egypt, India, Republic of Korea, Poland and UkSSR for the second round of International Comparative Study on the Organization and Performance of Research Units. The following dimensions of work climate have been usec: morale, openness, job satisfaction, work contacts, career opportunities, Satisfaction with supervisor, information on research plans, research autonomy. Stepwise regression analyses were carrier out separately for each country and also on global sample to find out the important dimensions of work climate in explaining the variations in the performance of R&D units. The set of work climate dimensions are related separately for tvr different measures Of performance of research’ units, viz. (1) scientific effectiveness, and (2)user-oriented effectiveness. The implications of this study for management of research and development groups are discussed.

Notes: CCountry

Kumari, L. and Sengupta, I.N. (1989), Growth of Lectin literature 1954-1982. Scientometrics, 17 (3-4), 353-362.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 353.pdf

Abstract: Lectins, the carbohydrate binding proteins, have emerged as indispensable biological tools in the last decade. Research contributions covering the period 1954-1982 on different aspects of lectins were collected since the introduction of the tem ‘Lectin’ in 1954. In the present communication we have made a bibliometric analysis of the growth of the literature on lectins, the trend of authorship of papers on lectins, and scattering phenomena. We have also identified the main international channels of communication of the results of lectin research.

? Satyanarayana, K. and Ratnakar, K.V. (1989), Authorship patterns in life sciences, preclinical basic and clinical research papers. Scientometrics, 17 (3-4), 363-371.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 363.pdf

? Schubert, A. (1989), Quantitative studies of science a current bibliography. Scientometrics, 17 (3-4), 373-380.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 373.pdf

? Shenhav, Y.A., Haberfeld, Y. and Cohen, B.P. (1989), Contextual analysis of team productivity in the R & D industry. Scientometrics, 17 (5-6), 387-400.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 387.pdf

Abstract: We argue that productivity is a phenomenon which takes on various meanings in different contexts. Reliability coefficients of six scales of productivity, four of which have been used by Andrews and/or by Pelz and Andrews, are estimated in 28 work contexts using data on 224 R & D teams. The results support the argument.

? Pouris, A. (1989), A scientometric assessment of agricultural research in South Africa. Scientometrics, 17 (5-6), 401-413.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 401.pdf

Abstract: This article reports the results of a scientometric assessment of agricultural research in South Africa over the period 1974-1984. The Science Literature Indicators Database of CHI is used and South Africa is compared with 7 other countries spread in America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. The criteria used for the assessment are the contribution of each country to international agricultural literature (in terms of publications) and their impact in the “Schubert-Glänzel-Braun Impact Scale”. It was found that, although the South African contribution has improved in that period, it is comparable to that of Brazil and Argentina, that Nigeria and Israel produce 3 times more, and: that Australia and Canada contribute more than one order of magnitude of publications more than South Africa. As far as research impact is concerned “Hant Science” research in South Africa is rated “fair” in the Schubert-Glänzel-Braun scale, whilst “Dairy and Animal Science” and “Veterinary” research are rated “poor”.

Keywords: South Africa

? Vanels, W.P., Jansz, C.N.M. and Lepair, C. (1989), The citation gap between printed and instrumental output of technological research: The case of the electron microscope. Scientometrics, 17 (5-6), 415-425.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 415.pdf

Abstract: The merits and shortcomings of bibliometric evaluation techniques are well known, the reliability of the techniques varies according to the discipline. For technology the reliability is small. The electron microscope is a clear case of extreme mismatch between the number of citations received and the impact of the instrument in a wide area of science. The instrument is comparable to a scientific publication in the way in which it is used and referred to in the literature. In this paper we estimate the size of the citation gap, i.e. the number of citations an author misses because the results of his research are made public in the form of an instrument instead of via an article in a journal.

? Nederhof, A.J. and Vanraan, A.F.J. (1989), A validation study of bibliometric indicators: The comparative performance of cum laude doctorates in chemistry. Scientometrics, 17 (5-6), 427-435.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 427.pdf

Abstract: The validity of bibliometric indicators as a monitor of the impact and usefulness of scientific research is examined by compaiing the scientific performance of cure laude and non-cum laude degree holders in chemistry (N=237), from five y~ears before their graduation to four years afterwards. Papers of cum laudes were cited more frequently than those of non-cum laudes from three years before graduation until one year after graduation. Two to three years after graduation, the short-term impact per paper was no longer significantly different for both groups. A similar pattern was found with regard to productivity. Little evidence was found in favor of the Ortega hypothesis and the Matthew effect. The results support the concurrent validity of bibliometric indicators with peer review indicators of quality of the research project.

? Chatelin, Y. and Arvanitis, R. (1989), Between centers and peripheries - the Rise of a new scientific community. Scientometrics, 17 (5-6), 437-452

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics17, 437.pdf

Abstract: This article analyzes the production and diffusion of the scientific products of sixty-one researchers in soil sciences belonging to ORSTOM. In a period corresponding to two scientific generations we have observed important changes in writing and publishing habits. Non-published reports have lost importance while article production has grown. Also there is a noteworthy growth of the number of presentations at meetings, most of them international scientific congresses. The article shows the result of a factor analysis of their production that allows us to identify seven different types of behavior. We have stressed a series of elements explaining these different types. The possible predominance of a nationally oriented production behavior can be mainly explained by easy access to publication, sufficient appropriateness to the kind of data studidd, and correct recognition by scientific peers. Finally we suggest that this typology can be used for analytical purposes in order to study the growth and publication patterns of Third World science.

? Czerwon, H.J. (1990), Scientometric indicators for a specialty in theoretical high energy physics: Monte carlo methods in lattice field theory. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 5-20.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 5.pdf

Abstract: Publication and citation data are used to analyse the dynamics of the theoretical highenergy physics.specialty “Monte Carlo methods in lattice field theory”. The present study is based on a comprehensive bibliography of the given subject area for the six-year period 1979-1984 and the 1979-1985 citations to these papers. The application of a recently introduced set of scientomettic indicators provides clues to undertanding the growth of a new research specialty from a core body of seminal literature.

Keywords: Monte Carlo

? Bruckner, E., Ebeling, W. and Scharnhorst, A. (1990), The application of evolution models in scientometrics. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 21-41.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 21.pdf

Asbtract: According to the connection between field mobility and coupled manpower growth processes in a system of scientific fields a deterministic, stochastic and continuous version of an evolution model is presented. Some simulation results on base of the stochastic model are given in Section 5 and compared with corresponding trend analyses of the deterministic model. Several interesting effects, as delayed growth and temporal disappearance as well as rapid growth and overshooting of a new field, axe shown by the simulations.

Keywords: Scientometrics

? Kretschmer, H. and Muller, R. (1990), A contribution to the dispute on the Ortega hypothesis: Connection between publication rate and stratification of scientists, tested by various methods. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 43-56.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 43.pdf

Abstract: It was tested whether the publication rate of scientists as a rough measure of their Ueniinence”, influences their stratification. The stratification is reflected in cooperation, in co-authorships, in the structure of the citations and in the distribution of publications among the various problem areas of a scientific discipline. The findings of these investigations was discussed as a contribution to the dispute among authors who accept or reject the Ortega hypothesis which states that the research done by average scientists substantially contributes to the advance of science.

? Bonitz, M. (1990), Journal ranking by different parameters. Part I. Collectivity and selective collectivity: Two Ranking parameters reflecting the structure of a journal network. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 57-73.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 57.pdf

Abstract: In the course of the study of scientific journals’ rank distributions two new parameters are def’med reflecting collective properties of journals in a network where the journals are linked to each other through co-usage of user profiles for which they contain relevant papers. The first, Collectivity C is a mere structure parameter whereas Selective Collectivity N.C uses C of a journal as a weight factor for the number of hits N produced in a retrospective search in a data file. The corresponding rank distributions show besides the expected reranking effect considerable deviations from a distribution where ranking is done according to the parameter Selective Journal Productivity N.

? Bonitz, M. (1990), Journal ranking by different parameters. Part II. Individual or collective: Which parameters are best suited for journal ranking? Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 75-93.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 75.pdf

Abstract: For the first time the impact of different ranking parameters on one and the same experimentally achieved set of 610 jouxnals is studied. Significance of the three journal rankiflg parameters Selective Journal Productivity, Selective Impact, and Collectivity is established. Significant parameters cause strong re-ranking in journal rank distributions and, in the transition between individual” and collective parameters, also in the shape of the cumulated curves. No parameter can replace an other one, each carries essential information on the communication process. The author’s concept is open for retire parameters and pronounces the role of man in decision making. The connection between simple behavioral principles and scientometrics is emphasized. The holography principle and the maximum speed principle are claimed to be most promising.

? Kretschmer, H. (1990), Pinski’s citation based measures of research interactivity and the application of a complex structure measure to journal systems. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 95-122.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 95.pdf

Abstract: The supposition for Pinski’s measures of research interactivity is a size reduced form of a citation matrix, which makes it possible to compare journals of different sizes. A futher development of the measures of research interactivity can be achieved by using a complex structure measure. In addition to the relative scope of citations, which is taken into consideration by Pinski’s measures, the distributions of these values on the elements of the matrix are involved in calculating new measures of interactivity whose content is different from that of Pinski’s measures.

? Peschel, M., Mende, W. and Albrecht, K.F. (1990), The evolon growth model: Possible scientometric evaluations. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 123-136.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 123.pdf

Abstract: Based on a lot of data-analyses from different areas including also scientometries (Mathematical publications) a new method for description of growth indicators in highly aggregated societal systems is proposed’based on the sigmoid EVOLON growth model and its degenerated forms which together include most of the until now used growth curves in different fields. For these models simulation procedures are described which give us options for the parameter identification. Beside these possibilities dosed analytical formulas are derived for all the parameters which make use of higher derivatives of the sequence of measured values of the considered growth indicator. With this possibility the identification problem is used for the construction of reliable estimators for derivatives up to some order from measured sequences of growth indicator values. At the end of paper a certain view is thrown on new possibilities fox the construction of networks for coupled growth processes offerring also identification possibilities.

? Meske, W. and Dealaiza, M.C.F. (1990), Structure and development of the scientific and technological potential in the Republic of Cuba. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 137-155.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 137.pdf

Abstract: Scientific statistics provides the foundations necessary for every sciences policy. Against this background, special problems are posed for the developing countries. Below you find a presentation and discussion of experiences gained and results obtained in the course of the build-up of statistics on science and technology in the Republic of Cuba, with assessments and conclusions drawn from an analysis into tile data so far available. Therefore this paper is dealing with the scientific and technological potential of Cuba as a whole (S/T) without providing any distinction, between sciences and technology.

? Schubert, A. (1990), Quantitative studies of science a current bibliography. No. 15. Scientometrics, 18 (1-2), 157-168.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 157.pdf

? Schubert, A., Glänzel, W. and Braun, T. (1990), World flash on basic research - scientometric datafiles supplementary indicators on 96 countries 1981-1985. 1. Distribution of publication types in an extended source set. Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 173-177.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 173.pdf

? Schubert, A., Glänzel, W. and Braun, T. (1990), World flash on basic research - scientometric datafiles supplementary indicators on 96 countries 1981-1985. 1. Distribution of publication types in an extended source set. Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 173-177.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 173.pdf

? Kunz, M. (1990), Can the lognormal distribution be rehabilitated? Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 179-191.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 179.pdf

Abstract: Some properties of the logarithmic-factorial distribution [the normal distribution with a substitution X = log₁₀ log₂ (m_a + l)!] are shown. This distribution was connected with the distribution of entropy inside information systems. For practical purposes, the graphical form of the lognormai distribution is recommended and deviations from linearity, at examples of distributions of patents between patentees, are explained as convolutions of distributions.

? Nordstrom, L.O. (1990), ‘Bradford’s law’ and the relationship between ecology and biogeography. Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 193-204.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 193.pdf

Abstract: Core journals in ecology and biogeography were identified on the basis of Bradford’s Law of Scattering, and their degree of overlap measured as percentage Similarity (PS). Areas of common interest between the two disciplines, as well as of uniqueness, were determined through bibliometric analysis of these core journals.

? Spagnolo, F. (1990), Brazilian scientists’ publications and mainstream science: Some policy implications - the case of chemical and electrical engineering. Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 205-218.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 205.pdf

Abstract: Against the common view that scientific output in peripheral and non-English speaking countries is largely underrepresented in Science Citation Index (SCI), this study shows that academic Brazilian scientists in chemistry and electrical engineering tend to publish in “good” international journals covered by SCL The rate of citations they earn, however, looks rather poor. The reasons why Brazilian scientists publish in foreign journals are analysed and the policy of encouraging scientists to publish their best contributions abroad is questioned.

? Grupp, H. (1990), The concept of entropy in scientometrics and innovation research an indicator for institutional involvement in scientific and technological developments. Scientometrics, 18 (3-4), 219-239.

Full Text: 1990\Scientometrics18, 219.pdf

Abstract: The concept of entropy well-known in information theory and thermodynamics is applied in the fields of scientometrics and innovation research in order to introduce an indicator for the institutional involvement in of the location of research and development. By means of this concept four applications in the fields of research and national technology policy, industrial technology management, and innovation research are outlined. First, the national institutional structures in telecommunications research and development in Japan are compared to those of the Netherlands. It is concluded that the institutional involvement is not always more random in a larger country but rather depends on the disaggregation into fields and subfields. Secondly, broad versus narrow national technology strategies in the so-called ‘high technologies’ are compared for various OECD and COMECON countries. Thirdly, corporate R and D strategies of Japanese telecommunication companies are studied. Fourthly, for selected R and D-intensive technologies it is shown that with the progress of time the involvement of industrial branches in a new technology fluctuates. The four analyses are based either on bibliometric or on patent data. The usefulness of the concept of entropy in scientometrics and innovation research is assessed through these examples.

Keywords: Scientometrics

? Spangenberg, J.F.A., Buijink, W. and Alfenaar, W. (1990), Some incentives and constraints of scientific performance in departments of economics. Part I. Predictor-criterion relations. Scientometrics,